More flooding woes for India

Floods continue to wreak havoc across northern Pakistan and the northwest of India despite the fact that the heaviest rain cleared the area over a week ago. Now the focus for the heaviest downpours is across east Bangladesh and the far northeast of India.

Three days of heavy rain have led to flash floods and landslides which have so far killed at least seven people. Meghalaya and Assam states have both been badly affected.

Tezpur and Dibrugarh, both in Assam state received 84mm and 68mm of rain respectively in the 24 hours up to 0600GMT on Tuesday.

However it was the state capital, Gauhati which was worst hit with 203mm of rain on Monday alone. Many neighbourhoods in the city of 2 million were submerged in waist-deep water. Not surprisingly, the Bharalu River which runs through the city is on the verge of breaking its banks.

As a result, dozens of people have been evacuated from their homes as buildings were submerged and several bridges washed away. Unfortunately, more rain is expected over the next few days.