Monsoon claims 221 lives nationwide, Kerala reports 102

New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) The nationwide death toll in monsoon-related incidents rose to 221 today with Kerala alone reporting 102 deaths so far.

Kolkata and its adjoining districts reported 14 deaths.

Two deaths each were reported from Karnataka and Bihar.

The incessant rains have already claimed 84 lives in Gujarat and 17 in Maharashtra.

The total loss to property was estimated at Rs 144.7 crore.

Agricultural loss was put at Rs 839.7 crore in Kerala even as the South West monsoon in the state remained weak. Rains lashed several places in the state and Lakshadweep.

In West Bengal, work for the Tata Motors' small car factory was suspended in Singur as heavy rains inundated the 997-acre project area, pulling down a 30-feet stretch of the boundary wall.

The deluge in Kolkata and the adjoining districts claimed 14 lives as boats sailed through the flooded city, ferrying people and providing relief to those affected in many areas. Government health workers and volunteers distributed medicines and disinfectants to prevent an epidemic.

Train services to and from Kolkata were seriously affected for the third day, but flights were on schedule. Bus services were also disrupted while cars were stranded at several areas.

Schools and colleges remained closed and all the University exams have been deferred.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee held a high-level meeting with several other ministers and the city Mayor to review the situation.

Forty one people in Rajasthan were rescued by the Army from submerged Surayata village in Pali district while at least 30 other people are supposed to be trapped in Futiara village in the district.

However, six people out of 17 jeep passengers, whose jeep was swept away in the Mansi Wakal river in Kotda tehsil in Udaipur district, are still missing.

Heavy rains have caused flooding in many areas of Pali district in Jodhpur division. At least two dozen dams in the area are overflowing and cracks have appeared in the 36-feet deep Hemawas dam, which is being repaired.

The Pali-Sumerpur road in Pali district has been affected following overflowing of the bridge on the Bandi river.

In Jharkhand, life almost came to a grinding halt following heavy downpour during the past 48 hours with several catchment areas in and around the steel city submerged.

Official sources said rain water was logged in several catchment areas alongside the rivers Kharkai and Subarnarekha. The water level in both the rivers was rising alarmingly.

Train services in the Chakradharpur division of South Eastern railways were also affected.

The warm and humid conditions were back in the national capital after two days of rains.

The heat and high humidity levels of 94 per cent led to a sharp rise in maximum temperature to 36.5 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.

In the northwest region, hot and humid conditions prevailed in the plains of Punjab and Haryana following increase in the mercury even as rain lashed many of its parts since last night.

Chandigarh and its adjoining were lashed by downpour in Punjab, certain areas in Haryana expreienced light rain. The southwest monsoon has already advanced into the remainig parts of the twin states.

In Punjab, the mercury soared at many places in the absence of rain. Amritsar recorded 37.0 degrees Celcius, Ludhiana 36.2 degrees and Patiala 37.1 degrees.

In Haryana, Ambala, Hissar, and Rohtak were pounded by light rain but temperatures kept up in the state.

UNI