Heavy rains continued in Bihar for the third consecutive day on Sunday, killing at least 24 people across the state and crippling life, especially in the state capital where record rains caused heavy water-logging and did not spare the houses of the Deputy Chief Minister and two former Chief Ministers.
No respite is in sight with the Met Office predicting more rain in the next 24 hours and the state government has issued a "red alert".
The unexpected "heavy to extremely heavy rain" has so far claimed the lives of over 24 people - mostly drowned, across the state, officials of Disaster Management Department said here.
The water level in major rivers including Ganga, Koshi, Gandak, Bagmati, and the Mahananda, are on the rise, threatening to breach embankments at many places.
The Water Resources department has alerted the officials concerned and asked the district authorities to take measures to deal with any possibility.
The Centre has already deployed teams of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force for rescue and relief operations in vulnerable places.
According to weather department officials, Patna has received 151 mm rain since Saturday -- a record in recent years.
Patna is now facing a flood-like situation with water is all around. People have been forced to stay indoors as most of the roads were water-logged.
Boats were deployed in several localities to help people.
"This is the first time I have seen boats plying on the water-logged roads in Patna... it is new for us," Sanket Jha, a college student of Rajendra Nagar colony, said.
"Entire Patna is water-logged because of choked drainage. It has caused havoc in residential localities and exposed the Patna Municipal Corporation," Lakhender Mahto, a retired school teacher, told IANS here.
According to reports, water entered the residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi in Rajendra Nagar here
Water also made its way into the residences of former Chief Ministers Satendra Narayan Singh on Boring Road and Jitan Ram Manjhi, as well as BJP MP and former Union Minister Rajeev Pratap Rudy.
The rains also affected the movement of trains, road traffic as well as flight operations. Twelve long route trains and several passenger trains have been cancelled.
There were reports of damage to the National Highways at several places in north Bihar districts.
The flood water has also entered houses, shops and hospitals at many places in the state, apart from Patna.
Tripura closes all schools for 4 days due to heat wave conditions
With the state buffeted by a heat wave, the Tripura government on Wednesday declared a holiday in all schools for four days from Wednesday to provide respite to children.
All three units of EVMs have their own microcontroller, ECI tells SC
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday apprised the Supreme Court that all three units (i.e. ballot unit, control unit and VVPAT) of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have their own microcontroller.
Congress ready to set 'dangerous precedent' by implementing Inheritance Tax: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress, saying that the party seeks to destroy the ordinary people of India economically and is about to set a "dangerous precedent" by implementing an 'Inheritance Tax' if voted to power.
PM Modi has lifted 400 million people out of poverty: JP Morgan CEO
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken 400 million (40 crore) people out of poverty and is doing an “unbelievable job” in India, Global banking giant JP Morgan Chase chief executive officer (CEO) Jamie Dimon has said.
India to become one of biggest chip hubs in next 5 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India has commissioned four semiconductor manufacturing units and in the next five years, the country will become one of the biggest semiconductor hubs in the world, Union Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.
PM Modi highlights need for resilient infrastructure at 39-nation meet on natural disasters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasised the need to invest in resilient infrastructure as part of the strategy to minimise the damage from natural disasters that are on the rise across the world.
India calls for ‘gender-responsive arms control’ to prevent sexual violence in conflicts
To combat sexual violence in conflict situations, India has advocated a multifaceted approach which includes “gender-responsive arms control” that prevents the proliferation of weapons.
Pressing UNSC reforms, India highlights consensus in G20 with broader membership
Pressing the case for Security Council reforms, India has highlighted the consensus arrived at the more representative G20 Summit on issues that could not make it through the UN's highest decision-making body stuck in a "cold war" mode.