Flood fury continues in Bihar, death toll hits 153

The death toll in Bihar rose to 153 today with four more fatalities as floods continued to ravage the state while higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh experienced the season's first snowfall.
In West Bengal, the flood situation in Malda worsened today with two fresh deaths reported from Kaliachak III block, taking the toll in floods to four in the district.
Twelve more panchayat areas were inundated in Bihar affecting a total population of 34.69 lakh in 12 districts.
Two deaths each were reported from Bhojpur and Begusarai, the Disaster Management Department said.
Caused by a rise in water levels in Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghra, Kosi and other rivers, the floods have affected people in 2,037 villages under 565 panchayats of 74 blocks in the state, it said.

The Ganga, though showing a receding trend, is flowing above the danger mark at seven places - Digha Ghat, Gandhi Ghat, Hathidah in Patna, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district, besides in Munger and Buxar districts.

A total 4.97 lakh people have been evacuated so far from the 12 flood-affected districts of Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali, Saran, Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar, the release said.
Meanwhile, the national capital endured a sultry day with the mercury settling two notches above normal for this time of year as humidity levels oscillated between 94 and 60 per cent.
"The maximum temperature was recorded at 36 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal and the minimum at 25.5 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal," a MeT official said.

Parts of Uttar Pradesh witnessed a fresh spell of rains even as several rivers continued to flow above the danger mark at many places.
At least 8.7 lakh people in 987 villages in Varanasi, Allahabad, Ghazipur and Ballia have been hit by the floods as the Ganga continues to flow above the danger mark in Fafamu, Chhatnag, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Ghazipur and Ballia.
Several parts of Himachal Pradesh were lashed by moderate to heavy rains as the Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district and high altitude tribal areas experienced the season's first snowfall.
Rain lashed various places in Punjab and Haryana as maximum temperatures hovered at below normal levels in some areas in both states.