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Floods in India claim 750 lives but millions lose their homes

NEW DELHI, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- At least 750 were killed and millions were affected in the ongoing floods in different parts of India, media reports said on Sunday.
The Press Trust of India said, quoting a government official, that in the east Indian state of Bihar some 42 more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours taking the toll to 482, while 1.71 billion people living in 19 districts are affected by the deluge.
Araria district, which registered 95 flood-related deaths, is considered the worst hit.
Sitamarhi, Purnea, Katihar, West Champaran, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Madhepura, Kishanganj, Gopalganj, Supual, Saran, Muzaffarpur and Saharsa also reported dozens of deaths each.
The rescue and relief operation in Bihar is being carried out by a 1,152-men-strong National Disaster Response Force of 28 teams, 16 teams of the State Disaster Response Force and 630 Army personnel.
Another key Indian state, Uttar Pradesh, reported five deaths, including four in Gorakhpur district and one in Lakhimpur Kheri taking the total flood toll to 101 as 3,128 villages were affected - 2,061 of which are under water.
A high level official in the state of West Bengal said that the number of flood-related deaths rose to 90 while around 6 million people were affected amid reports that normalcy was restored in many regions in the six flood-hit districts.
The flood situation in the north eastern state of Assam reportedly improved, but over 160 thousand people living in Dhemaji, Barpeta, Chirang, Morigaon, Nagaon and Karbi Anglongare states are still suffering.
The latest floods claimed 73 lives across Assam while the annual flood toll stood at 157 in the state. (end) atk.sd