Flooding in India kills 65

MENDABARI, India, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The death toll from flood waters in the east Indian state of Bihar continues to rise.

Emergency officials say at least 65 people have died because of rising flood waters from a burst dam on the Kosi River. That's 10 more victims than reported earlier this week.

The dam burst earlier this month in neighboring Nepal and flowed into Bihar, smashing villages and ruining crop land, Press Trust of India reported Friday.

Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes and have little to eat, Press Trust reported, noting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the region a national disaster as the water continued to rise.

Train tracks were washed away near Mendabari, further hampering rescue efforts. The government moved heavy machinery into the region to reinforce levees and nearly 700 boats were deployed to ferry people to higher ground.

Some of the worst flooding has occurred in Madhepura, Supaul, Araria, Purnea, Saharsa and Katihar with many people trapped by high water.