Floods ravage parts of West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka

Heavy rains that lashed southern, eastern and western India continued to ravage parts of West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Amreli (Gujarat)/Kolkata, July 3 : Heavy rains that lashed southern, eastern and western India continued to ravage parts of West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka.

While eight people were killed in Kokata, death toll in Gujarat rose to 28.

Schools and colleges declared a holiday in Gujarat and Army has been put on alert as incessant rains lashed districts of Bharuch, Narmada and Surat in South Gujarat and Bhavnagar and Surendranagar Districts in Saurashtra region.

Ten people died in roof collapses, lightning and drowning in the Gujarat's Jamnagar District yesterday, officials said.

With four persons killed in Junagadh District death toll in Gujarat rose to 28.

Over 35,000 people in low-lying areas were shifted to higher grounds, officials said.

Overnight rains flooded homes in several villages, forcing people to take shelter on trees or move on the roofs.

Rains continue to wreak havoc on eastern and southern parts of the country. In Kolkata's Amreli city, people remained indoors as streets were waterlogged.

Kolkata recorded 160 mm of rainfall since last night.

At least six people died in roof collapse in the rain in South 24 Parganas District early this morning. One person was electrocuted at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas, while another was killed in a house collapse.

Many schools and colleges declared a holiday because of the heavy rains and flooding.

Surabhi, a resident, said: "There has been a lot of rain this time. Schools are closed and the studies are suffering. On one hand the rain has been good but on the other it has caused a lot of damage".

Rail and flight services were disrupted because of flooding of rail tracks and poor visibility.

People had to wade through filthy brown water to get to work, with buses and cars staying off flooded roads.

"We have been standing here for an hour. There is no taxi or auto. We are facing a lot of problem," said Somen Kumar, an irate office-goer.

Rain is also wreaking havoc in Karnataka with water overflowing from the Krishna River in Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot Districts.

Heavy rainfalls continued in Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan Districts. Mudigere in Chikmagalur District received 22 centimetres (cm) of rainfall on Monday, followed by Bhagamandala in Kodagu with 16.

According to officials the situation is under control.

Water overflowing of the Cauvery River has flooded Hemavathi, Lakshmanathirtha and Kabini basins.

Coffee growers of Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan Districts have urged the Centre to provide assistance to them.

Over 57 people have lost their lives in recent floods caused by heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and forced another 100,000 out of their homes in south, southwest and western India.

ANI