Patna: At least 17 people lost their lives in the recent spell of floods as the overall situation further deteriorated with swollen rivers maintaining constant rise following heavy rains in the catchment areas in Nepal during the past 24 hours.

With reports of four fresh deaths -- two from Khagaria, one each in Darbhanga and Sheohar districts -- in boat mishap on July 11, the death toll went up to 17.

Central Water Commission sources said all the rivers like Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamala Balan, Kosi, Mahananda and Adhwara group of rivers were rising and had overtopped the danger mark at different places along their courses.

Burhi Gandak was flowing 17 cm, 22 cm, 68 cm and 76 cm above danger points at Lalbagiaghat, Sikandarpur, Samastipur and Rosera respectively.

Bagmati had crossed the danger level at Benibad by 55 cm while Adhwara group of rivers overtopped the danger mark at Kamtaul and Ekmighat by 24 cm and 28 cm. Kamala Balan and Kosi too had crossed the danger mark, they said.

Around 10 lakh people are affected by floods in Madhubani Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria, Supaul, Saharsa, Kishanganj, Saran and Gopalganj districts due to floods.

State relief and rehabilitation department sources said effective steps were being taken to provide relief to the marooned people. Boats were being engaged to evacuate the people to safer places.

PTI