Eight killed as heavy rains lash Jharkhand
Ranchi reported record rainfall of 205.8 mm in the last 24 hours.
At least eight people died in Jharkhand as heavy rainfall continued to lash the eastern state and left several towns inundated with thousands displaced, authorities said on Wednesday.
The state capital of Ranchi reported record rainfall of 205.8 mm in the last 24 hours. Three people were killed and four injured after giant tree fell on an auto-rickshaw in the city’s Ratu area on Tuesday. In Lohardanga district, four people drowned after their ambulance was washed away by a river in spate. In Dhanbad, a 35-year-old person died after a wall fell on him.
Weather department officials said the heavy rain could continue for next 24 hours. “The well-marked low pressure area over gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand still persists,” said RS Sharma, forecasting officer at Ranchi IMD centre.
He said the system is expected to get weak and move westwards in next 24 hours. “We are expecting rainfall to decrease gradually from Wednesday evening and relief is expected from Thursday,” Sharma added.
Incessant rainfall over the past three days has caused immense loss to life and property, say officials, as nearby West Bengal and Rajasthan both struggle to deal with heavy showers. Streams of water have gushed into houses and flats of thousands of families in cities.
Hundreds of trees and electricity poles have been uprooted, causing long power cuts and traffic jams in different parts of the state. Over 500 mud houses have collapsed in last four days.
Administrations of five districts, including Ranchi, have asked all schools to suspend their classes up to the eighth standard. Nine major dams in Jharkhand have crossed their full capacities, forcing the authorities to discharge water that caused flood-like situation in low lying areas.
Chief minister Raghubar Das has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased. The CM has also directed all deputy commissioners to monitor the situation and take necessary steps.
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