With heavy rain continuing to lash several parts of Rajasthan, the death toll across the state went up to 27 on Thursday. Dausa and Bharatpur were districts put on high alert while Sikar and Jodhpur were also inundated due to torrential rain. Sources said the toll reached 23 late Wednesday night and four fresh cases were reported from Sikar Thursday. A flood-like situation in the state is feared to have left some 20,000 homeless. Sikar, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Dholpur and Bharatpur districts are the worst hit. Sikar district received the highest rainfall of 250 mm on Thursday that inundated several areas. Renu, Khirwa and Laxmangarh also witnessed a flood-like situation with Laxmangarh and Nawalgarh receiving 180 mm and 170 mm rainfall, respectively. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot told the district collectors of affected areas on Thursday to speed up relief work. “The Chief Minister has asked the district administration of the affected areas to ensure prompt relief work and also instructed them to bring in additional pumps to clear inundated areas. The administration has been instructed to rescue those rendered homeless, to provide them with food and shelter,” said an official spokesperson.