Heavy rains affect life in north-east India

Incessant downpour unleashed by cyclone 'Roanu' derailed normal life on Saturday in Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and southern Assam.

"The cyclonic effect and rains will continue till Sunday before 'Roanu' hits Bangladesh," Tripura Metrological Department director Dilip Saha told IANS.

He said 'Roanu' was moving north-east at a speed of 45-50 km per hour. No major damage by the cyclone had so far been reported.

Disaster management authorities in Tripura, Mizoram and southern Assam said that low lying areas had been inundated, crops damaged and electric poles and trees uprooted.

Agartala recorded 110.6 mm rainfall in nine hours until 5.30 p.m.

Earlier, a Bangladesh report said at least six people had died overnight due to the cyclone's effect.

--IANS

sc/tsb/mr