Six more die in Chhattisgarh rains

RAIPUR - Heavy rains in Chhattisgarh have claimed six more lives, taking the death toll to nine, officials said Wednesday.

Three people died in Dhamtari district, two in Narayanpur and one in Kanker. Authorities in the Bastar region say over 500 houses caved in due to heavy rain and about 12,000 tribal residents have been marooned.

Chief Minister Raman Singh has instructed the authorities in Bastar region’s five districts as well as Dhamtari to set up relief camps and rush help to victims.

The meteorological department here has predicted more heavy rains.