12 killed in HP, rescue ops continue in Bihar, UP, Karnataka

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) Twelve people, including three of a family, were killed due to heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh as rescue and relief operations continued in flood-ravaged Bihar, UP and Karnataka.

Normal life was paralysed following heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh leading to landslides and house and shop collapses while light showers lashed a few places in Haryana and Punjab in the past 24 hours.

Road traffic, power supply, telecommunication services and water supply were partially disrupted in different parts of Mandi district in HP.

Majority of the rivers in Bihar including Bagmati, Gandak, Budhi Gandak, Kosi, Ganga, Ghaghra and Adhwara group of rivers were flowing above the danger level and exerting pressure on the embankments while the flood related death toll has gone up to 150 so far.

An official report from Darbhanga said 11 people were drowned in flood water in the district during the past 24 hours.

Air Force continued to airdrop the relief materials which were also being transported to the affected areas through motor boats, sources said.

One person was killed when police resorted to lathicharge on the agitating people demanding relief material in the flood affected Sonbersa block of Saharsa district this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and apprised him of the worsening flood situation in the state.

According to Prime Minister's spokesman, Dr Singh assured Mr Kumar of all help from the Central government.

Dr Singh has directed the PMO to extend help to the state.

The NDA had demanded Central help for flood-affected areas of the state. Railway Minister and RJD president Lalu Prasad has opened up food camps to provide relief to the affected.

In Karnataka, flood levels x x x picking from para nine of DI 42 'Weather Roundup'.

UNI