84 dead in Gujarat rains in last 3 days, PM telephones Modi

New Delhi, July 3 (UNI) Monsoon fury continued to wreck havoc in Gujarat, claiming 84 lives in the past three days, while eight people were killed as heavy rains lashed Kolkata and its adjoining districts disrupting normal life.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and assured him central assistance for relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by the floods. Mr Modi, who is currently on a visit to Geneva, has cut short his stay and is reportedly rushing back to the country.

As many as 13 persons have gone missing in Gujarat of whom, eight are from Vadodara, three from Navasari and two from Basarkanthe.

Twenty-four talukas in 15 districts of the State have received more than 10 inches of rain in the last 24 hours.

In West Bengal eight people, including four children were killed as the season's heaviest rain pounded Kolkata and its adjoining districts. Life was disrupted as overnight downpour continued throughout the day flooding streets. Long distance trains were affected and flights were delayed.

In Maharashtra 358 people were killed in rain during the past one month while 1,963 villages in 27 districts of the state faced the rain fury, causing floods and casualty.

Rains lashed many parts of North-West region since last night, providing respite to people from sweltering heat. Moderate rain lashed mid and lower hills in Himachal Pradesh, while certain areas in Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh and Jammu also experienced rains. Moderate showers also hit Delhi bringing down the mercury.

In Uttar Pradesh, six people, including two girls died and as many suffered burns after being struck by lightning in different areas in Gorakhpur.

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UNI