"A total of 1.9 million people have been affected in floods in 15 districts of the state that have killed 27 people so far," Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Ram Vichar Rai said in the state capital Patna.

He said the floods had devastated crops worth 97.5 million rupees (two million dollars) since they began in early June.

Earlier the relief department had announced 14 deaths, mainly from drowning.

Rai said the state was in control of the situation and if necessary helicopters and motor boats would be pressed into service for relief work.

"The state government has made a budgetary provision of 900 million rupees for flood relief and flood affected districts have already been given 120 million rupees," Rai said.

The rain was likely to continue for the next 24 hours, a state meteorological department forecast said.

The Central Water Commission release said the Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Koshi and Baghmati rivers were flowing above danger levels at many places and were continuing to rise.

There were many reports of breaches in embankments but officials said efforts were being made to repair them.

Although most nothern parts of the state have been affected by flooding, southern districts have not received enough rain and farmers have not been able to sow rice in their paddy fields.

In the north many farmers have been unable to sow their crops because of waterlogging.

Only 20 percent of farms have sown paddy fields so far, compared to 70 to 80 percent in July last year, officials said.

Last year, more than 350 people were killed during floods in the state.

In the northeastern state of Assam, more than five million people have been displaced by floods this year and 32 have drowned.

TERRA.WIRE