6 killed in rain related incidents, flood fury continues in NE,UP

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) Three people lost their lives due to lightning in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal while another three were reported killed in rain triggered incidents in Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours.

In Uttar Pradesh the threat of floods from major rivers continues. Mau had been receiving incessant rainfall since last four consecutive days. Three people were killed and six others severely injured in separate incidents.

The swelling rivers of the Basti district have posed flood threat to 59 villages and affected more than 15,000 locals. Besides, 7,000 hectare of crop had been destroyed in Bhanpur tehsil.

Flood threat haunts almost 70 villages of the Harraiya Tehsil due to sharp rise in the water level in the turbulent Ghagra and Manorama rivers. Besides, 35 villages of the tehsil had been inundated, while seven were facing threat from the Kuano river. Several villages have been affected, following erosion in Sharda river.

In Arunachal Pradesh flood situation in several districts remained grim following incessant rain for past few weeks.

The government sounded red alert in East Siang as all the rivers and their tributaries were flowing above the danger level throwing life out of gear in Pasighat. Meanwhile, thousands of people in Dibang valley, Upper Siang, West Siang and East Siang were marooned following floods.

In Lohit district Noa Dihing, Lohit and Kamlang rivers had been flowing above danger level, inundating low-lying and cultivated land.

Road communication to and from Tezu was snapped on Monday last due to landslides at two points between Brahmakund and Tohangam road.

The other road to Tezu via Alubari was also disrupted, sources said.

In Dibang Valley, road communication between Anini to Roing remained cut off by landslides at several places due to continuous rain for last two weeks. The Bailey bridge over Deopani river at Roing had been washed away by flood waters, official sources said.

Many passengers were stranded at Anini and Roing as the helicopter services were disrupted.

Tripura had so far received more than 95 per cent of average annual rainfall according to Indian Meteorological Department(IMD).

Official sources said the state had calculated heavy loss of the standing crops following flash floods in southern part of the state.

About 3000 people have taken shelter in relief camps and over 5000 were still wading in knee-deep water looking for shelter.

In Asom, Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Karimganj and districts are facing flood-like situation. According to the official sources in Dhemaji, more than 40,000 people of around 75 villages were affected.

In West Bengal the state capital heaved a sigh of relief as heavy rains lashed the city with 30.8 mm recorded rainfall. The maximum temperature was recorded at 32.1 while the minimum at 27.5 degrees Celsius.

Monsoon rain pounded few areas in Punjab and many areas in Himachal Pradesh since last night. Chandigarh and Haryana went without rain.

Day temperatures across Himachal Pradesh fell by three to four degrees following heavy rains at several places in Kangra district and other adjoining areas of the state as the state capital recorded 19.5 degrees maximum temperature following overcast conditions and light intermittent showers during the last 24 hrs.

Widespread rain lashed mid and lower hills, causing landslides at some places. Berthin with 25.1 mm rain was the wettest place in Himachal Pradesh, followed by Pandoh which recorded 23.5 mm, Guler 20.0 mm, Dhundi 16.6 mm, Gamroor 15.8 mm, Naudan and Sundernagar 14.0 mm each and Solang Nala 10.0 mm. Kahu, Kasol, Sujanpur Tira and Nagrota Surian also had rainfall.

All rivers, including the Beas, Sutlej and the Ravi, and their tributaries flowing through the hilly state, were in spate.

Warm and humid conditions returned to Delhi with the mercury shooting up to 37.7 degrees Celsius leaving Delhiites sweltering under heat and humidity. The minimum also rose to 28.6 as rains eluded the city for the second consecutive day today.

Kerala and Lakshadweep faced heavy rains under the influence of South West monsoon as the highest rainfall of six cm was recorded at Amenidweep. Paravoor and CIL Kochi recorded three cm each while Kasaragod, Karipur Airport, Alwaye, Chertala, Kunnamkulam, Chertala, Piravam, Alapuzha and Kottayam received two cm each.

The southwest Monsoon has been vigorous in Asom and Meghalaya and active in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, east Uttar Pradesh, east Rajasthan and subdued over Gujarat state, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

Rain or thundershowers have occurred at most places in Asom and Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, east Uttar Pradesh, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep and at many places in Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, west Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, east Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh.

Rain or thundershowers have also occurred at a few places in Gangetic West Bengal, Orissa, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, east Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, Rayalaseema, Andaman and Nicobar and at isolated places in west Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Gujarat state, Konkan and Goa, Marathwada, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and south interior Karnataka.

UNI