Eight killed as towns remain inundated

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 mminthelast24hours. Three people were killed and four injured when a giant tree fell on a rickshawonTuesday. InLohardanga district, four people drowned after their ambulance was washed away by a river in spate.InDhanbad, a35-yearold died after a wall fell on him.

Weather department officials said the heavy rain could continue for next 24 hours. “The wellmarked 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 with heavy showers.

Administrations of five districts, including Ranchi, have asked schools to suspend all classes up to the eighth standard. Nine major dams have reached full capacity. CM Raghubar Das has announced ₹2 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased.