New Delhi (dpa) - As if the devastation caused by the earthquake this January was not enough, followed by the threat of the cyclone in the Arabian Sea and drought in parts of the country, rains have now started playing havoc.

Agency reports from Bombay Sunday said heavy rains affected movement of trains as the tracks were water logged. At some places the rail tracks were reported completely submerged under water after the city experienced above 12 centimetres of rainfall since Saturday.

Suburban trains were delayed by over 15 minutes and road traffic disrupted in low-lying areas of the city.

Worst hit by the rains was the western Indian state of Gujarat, the victim of the earthquake, where 30 people died in heavy downpours, according to reports from the scene.

Drought-affected regions of Kutch and Saurashtra had two to 12 inches of rainfall.

In the eastern state of West Bengal, about 150 people were rendered homeless after incessant rains for 72 hours causing local rivers to overflow and flood three villages.

dpa am vc

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Received by NewsEdge Insight: 06/17/2001 04:36:07

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