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24/08/2010   Rains lash parched Bihar   Patna, Aug 24 (IANS) Rains continued to lash Bihar's capital   Patna and other parts for the fourth day Tuesday giving relief to people hit by   scanty rainfall this year, even as Met officials predicted more downpour across   the state Wednesday. Heavy rains lashed Patna Tuesday evening leading to water   logging in some areas and affecting normal life. 
 "In Patna, various   residential colonies in low lying areas are under knee-deep water and road   traffic was badly affected after rains," a police official said.
 
 Meteorological Department Director Animesh Chandra told IANS that   monsoon rains in last few days were a positive sign in Bihar which has been   facing rain deficiency as it will help farmers cut crop losses.
 
 Chandra   said that rains will continue for another one or two days across the state.
 
 In view of over 30 percent rainfall deficit, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar   Aug 15 declared that the entire state was drought-hit.
 
 Early this month,   the state government declared 28 of its 38 districts drought-hit in view of the   scanty rainfall.
 
 The drought has affected hundreds of thousands of   people for the second consecutive year, the government said.
 
 Low   rainfall so far has hit paddy sowing and transplantation in Gaya, Aurangabad,   Jehanabad, Arwal, Nawada, Patna, Rohtas, Kaimur and Nalanda districts.
 
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