Heavy rain cripples normal life in Jharkhand

Incessant rain crippled normal life and damaged government and private property in many areas of Jharkhand with Garhwa, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Palamu and Gumla being among the worst-hit districts.

In state capital Ranchi -- which received more than 120 mm rain in the last three days -- a bridge over the Harmu river, a lifeline for the people of Ranchi, was damaged on Tuesday due to the downpour.

As a result, a heavy traffic jam was witnessed on Harmu road.

More than 1,000 houses were badly damaged in Kharaoundi, Ketar and Bhawnathpur blocks of Garhwa district. Reports of damage to various bridges and culverts due to heavy rain also came in from other areas.

Around one lakh people were said to be affected by the rains in Garhwa and adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh.

In Rajrappa in Ramgarh district, eight shops and a couple of boats were washed away in the swirling rainwater. In view of a rise in the water level in the Damodar river, a warning has been issued to devotees visiting the Maa Chinmastika temple.

Mining work too was hit in various districts as rainwater flooded coal mines.

In Chatra, more than a dozen small bridges and culverts along with roads were damaged. Many villages were marooned due to heavy rain.

The neighbouring district of Lohardagga too recorded 70.8 mm rainfall in the last 48 hours.

In Palamu, which recorded 145.2 mm rainfall, many rivers are flowing above the danger mark.

Commuters were left stranded in many areas as water was flowing over the bridges.

In Medninagar, water flooded low-lying areas.

--IANS

ns/tsb/bg