9/26/11

India floods situation worsens in Orissa and Bihar


More than two million people have been displaced by floods in India as torrential rains lash Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states.

Heavy monsoon rains have been battering parts of India for the past fortnight.

More than 80 people have died in flood-related incidents, and some areas have been cut off by rising waters.

Heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh have triggered off house and wall collapses, and a flood alert has been issued in eight districts in Bihar.

In Orissa, the worst affected state, vast parts of 10 districts have been inundated by flood waters, officials say.

Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohapatra said 55 people have died - some drowned, while others died from snakebites and in wall collapses.

More than 10 people who had had gone missing after the boat in which they were travelling overturned in Brahmani river in Dhenkanal district were rescued on Monday, officials say.

Some areas had been cut off due to breaches in river banks and embankments,. Helicopters were the only way to bring food and water to people stranded there.

Officials said over 61,000 people had been evacuated to safety and relief and rescue operations had begun.

In northern Uttar Pradesh state, 28 people have died in rain-related incidents, and water levels of major rivers -Ganges and Gomti - are on the rise.

Officials told the Press Trust of India news agency that 18 people had been killed in wall and house collapses caused by the incessant rain in Jaunpur district.

In neighbouring Bihar state, authorities have sounded a flood alert in eight districts, including the capital, Patna, after heavy rains led to a rise in the water levels on Ganges and Sone rivers.

Rivers are flooding their banks after a large amount of water was released from the Indrapuri barrage - the highest, say officials, since 1975.

At least 70 people who were marooned in the floods have been rescued from the Sasaram district, officials said.



Widget by Business | Forex Trade

Share

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites