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Floods in Bihar, North-East claim 51 lives

At least 51 people have been killed and millions rendered homeless in floods caused by heavy rains in the north-eastern states and Bihar.

The flood situation in north Bihar was grim with major rivers being in spate after torrential rain hit several places, taking the state's toll to 32.

The state government's flood control cell said the Pipra Pirpasi embankment on the Gandak river developed a major seepage near Mittha village, inundating low-lying areas along the bund of Gopalganj district.

Road communication between Samastipur and Hajipur has been snapped after swirling flood waters from the Baya damaged a bridge near Mahua.

The toll in yesterday's house collapse in Tripura rose to 17, even as heavy rains continued to lash the state. Officials said the toll might increase as rescue operations have been hampered by heavy rain.

Two persons were swept away by the swelling Gomti in Sonamura and Udaipur districts.

Thousands of people have taken shelter in relief camps in Amarpur and Udaipur in the south and Nalchar.

The Gomti has crossed the danger level at several places. Highways and residential areas have been submerged since Saturday. Many sub-divisional towns and districts remain disconnected from the state capital Agartala.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has directed the district magistrates and other civil officials to take help from the army and paramilitary forces if the situation worsens.

All rivers receded below the red mark in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal and at least 6,000 people who had taken shelter in relief camps have since returned home.

Many tea gardens, including Atiabari, Satali, New Lands, Sankos, Karbala, Lankapara, Tulsipara and Sarugaon, in the Dooars have been affected. Ten labour quarters of the Sarugaon Tea Estate in Falakata in the Dooars were washed away.

The monsoon has been vigorous in large parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially in the hills and eastern parts of the state, in the past 24 hours.

Following the heavy downpour, several major rivers of the state, including the Ganga, Sharda and Rapti, have started rising.

UNI

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