Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 19 : People in Uttar Pradesh''s Gonda District forced to spend nights in the open after the floodwaters inundated their huts and submerged their fields.

The villagers complained that if the administration taken preventive steps on time, the disaster could have been avoided. They also lamented the alleged apathy of the authorities in helping them out.

"We are surrounded by water. Water is there everywhere and we have no one to help us. No one has come to us for relief or rescue operations," said Ramnaresh Pathak, a resident.

The authorities, however, claimed that some relief has been provided and more would be made available soon.