Monday, Oct 14, 2013
Patna: Heavy rains caused by cyclone Phailin have affected normal life in Bihar, killing at least three people and destroying road and rail links. The rains continuing for the past 24 hours have led to heavy waterlogging in the town areas and created flood-like situation in the areas crisscrossed by rivers, forcing the state administration to issue high alert.
Officials said at least three persons were killed across the state when the mud houses collapsed under the impact of heavy rains continuing since Sunday evening accompanied with storms. With the overall situation now turning a bit critical, the state government has sounded alert in 28 flood-prone districts out of Bihar’s total 38 districts.
The sounding of high alert follows the forecast of heavy rains accompanied with cyclone winds blowing at the speed of 40-50 kilometres/hour in the next 48 hours in Bihar which may create cause flash floods in the plains.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a review meeting with all the district magistrates across the state in the light of forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department on Monday and directed the officials concerned to initiate every possible measure to tackle the situation. He said the tackling the current situation was indeed a challenge which they would successfully face.
Reports said rains have uprooted dozens of electric poles which has hit supply of power in the state while the flooded roads coupled with uprooting of roadside trees have led to communication problems in some parts of the state.
The continuing rains also washed out of the Durga Puja festivities as the devotees who were earnestly waiting to hop the puja pandals were forced to stay indoors owing to heavy rains.
At several places, the puja decorations were destroyed and pandals (canopy) were uprooted owing to cyclonic wins accompanied with rains. There were also reports of live electric wires falling on the puja pandals at some place which further caused troubles.
The puja festivities which culminate into the burning of effigies of demon king Ravana family too were badly marred as the said ritual was advanced by a day by the state administration in Patna but the rains further disturbed the ritual. Although a few enthusiastic devotees had gathered at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan to watch the rituals, the rains destroyed the Ravana’s effigy which got broken at midpoint as crackers also did not fire owing to moisture.
By Lata Rani ?Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
