NEW DELHI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen people died in rain-related incidents across India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh over the past couple of days, said local media reports.
Many parts of northern and western India have been facing heavy to very heavy rains during the ongoing monsoon season.
Normal life was disrupted after a heavy downpour in several parts of the western state of Rajasthan on Saturday, even as flood-like conditions were reported from several cities and towns, including Ajmer, Pushkar, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, and Pali.
Many villages were reportedly cut off as rivers, drains and dams overflowed due to the intense rains. Highest rainfall of 234 millimeters was recorded in Nainwa area of Bundi district.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded alerts of heavy rains for the northern hilly states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for the next couple of days. ■