Flood scene worsens in Assam, four die in Odisha

New Delhi: Rains wreaked havoc in several parts of the country and led to worsening of the flood situation in Assam, where three more persons perished, even as lightning incidents claimed four lives in Odisha.

It also rained intermittently in Uttar Pradesh, where the water level in several rivers is surging, and Himachal Pradesh.

Heavy downpour led to water-logging and traffic snarls in Kolkata. The city gauged 66.8 mm of rainfall in six hours between 8.30 am and 2.30 pm, the maximum this season.

However, residents of Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana had a tough time due to sticky heat as rains eluded the states.

The weatherman predicted “extremely heavy rain” at some places in Assam tomorrow. Very heavy rains are likely to pound several areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, sub- Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim.

The number of persons losing their lives in this year’s flood-related incidents in Assam has gone up to 22. Nearly 4.5 lakh people in 17 districts are bearing the brunt of the deluge. There are total 35 districts in the state.

The flood-hit districts are: Lakhimpur, Bongaigaon, Jorhat, Golaghat, Cachar, Dhemaji, Biswanath, Karimganj, Sonitpur, Majuli, Barpeta, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sivasagar, Morigaon, Hailakandi and Chirang.

As many as 181 relief camps have been set up in 11 districts for the succour of more than 20,000 people.

According to a report by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger mark in Jorhat, Sonitpur, Goalpara and Dhubri districts.

Rhino habitats Kaziranga National Park in upper Assam and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in central Assam are under water, forest Department sources said.

At least four persons were killed and six others, including three children, injured in lightning incidents in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.

Several parts of Uttar Pradesh received monsoon rains with the weatherman warning of more showers in 11 districts of the state in the next few days.

The water level in the Sharda river at Palia Kalan in Kheri was above the red mark and the Ghaghra river was touching the danger mark in Ayodhya and Barabanki.

Water levels in both the rivers were rising menacingly, a source in the Central Water Commission said.

Karhal received 19 cm of rain, followed by Baheri 15 cm, Jasrana 8 cm, Chandauli and Dudhi both 6 cm and Phoolpur, Varanasi, Chunar, Mirzapur and Bharthana 5 cm each, the MeT department said.

The mercury was recorded within normal levels in the national capital but high humidity caused a little discomfort to the residents.

The city recorded a high of 35.3 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season’s average, and a low of 25.2 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal level, a MeT official said.

Humidity levels oscillated between 95 and 66 per cent.

Delhi guaged 17.6 mm of rainfall overnight. The weatherman has predicted a drizzle in a few areas at night.

The maximum temperature at most places in Punjab and Haryana hovered slightly below the normal limits.

Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 34.9 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a high of 35 degrees Celsius after light showers. Ludhiana, which too witnessed a light rain, recorded a maximum temperature of 34.3 degrees Celsius.

Hisar in Haryana had a hot day at 38.5 degrees Celsius.

–PTI