Bihar battered by rain for third consecutive day; death toll rises to 18

Battered by heavy rainfall for the third consecutive day, Bihar lost at least 18 lives on Sunday to mishaps caused by the downpour that inundated streets, water-logged railway tracks and marooned business establishments.

The state capital continued to be among the worst affected, some of its parts submerged in water levels rising up to the chest and its residents being rescued with the help of municipal cranes normally used for moving earth.

"It is natures fury before which man is often helpless. We are, however, trying our best. The problem is, we have no idea how long the downpour which caps a