Death Toll Surpasses 200 in India Floods, Landslide

At least 215 people have died in floods and a landslide in India over the past week.

 NEW DELHI (DPA) – At least 215 people have died in floods and a landslide in India over the past week, a Home Ministry official said Tuesday.

Eighty-three deaths were reported from the western state of Gujarat and 69 from eastern West Bengal.

Most of the deaths were caused by lightening strikes, wall collapses, electrocution and drowning brought on by heavy rain and accompanying floods.

Another 38 deaths in rain-related incidents were reported from Rajasthan, five from Odisha and four more from Manipur where on Saturday 20 people died in a landslide.

India's monsoon season between June and September often sees heavy rains that are vital for agriculture.

The worst-affected states were West Bengal, Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Home Ministry said.

India's Metereological Department forecast heavy rain still to come in West Bengal and Gujarat along with Madhya Pradesh, Goa and some other areas of northern and western India for the next five days.

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