70 die in rain-related incidents in India

At least 70 people have been killed in rain-related incidents such as lightning, flooding and drowning in India over the past few days, as heavy rains lashed northern and eastern parts of the country, said officials and police Saturday.

In the northeastern state Assam, at least 29 died in the current deluge, while 27 people were killed in lightning incident in the eastern state of Orissa and three died in flood in the northeast state of Meghalaya.

In the eastern state of Bihar, two minor girls were swept away by waters of Burhidangi river which is flooding villages after heavy rains, said police.

In the capital Delhi, traffic jams became the norm as many roads were waterlogged after receiving the highest rainfalls in 10 years.

Incessant rains continued in Mumbai and neighboring districts whike heavy rainfall lashed parts of Rajasthan in western India since Friday, said meteorological officials. Endit