New Delhi - The flood toll in India's eastern state of Bihar rose to 52 as major rivers continued to flow above danger levels in 11 districts, news reports said Sunday. At least 1.5 million people had been affected by the floods, the PTI news agency reported.
The floods have been brought on by delayed monsoon rains in the state where the government declared 26 of its 40 states as drought-hit in early August.
At least four of the states on the drought-affected list - Kishenganj, Katihar, Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur - where paddy crops were destroyed due to low rains in the June-July season have now been hit by floods.
So far, 892 people have been killed in floods in various parts of the country brought on by the monsoon rains, the disaster management unit of India's federal Home Ministry said.
Most of the deaths were due to mudslides, collapsing buildings, and drowning.
The loss so far due to damage to cropland and houses was estimated at 12.77 billion rupees (263 million dollars).
India's rainy monsoon season usually lasts from June to September.
