NEW DELHI, June 17 (RIA Novosti) - A total of 700 villages have been flooded in northwest India and at least 30 people have died since torrential rains began last week, national radio reported on Tuesday.
Unexpectedly heavy rains began lashing the area last Thursday, nearly two weeks ahead of the normal monsoon season, which usually covers the country from early July to September.
Over 700,000 people have been affected by the floods.
Although water levels are slowly falling in some regions, the situation in the region of Lakhimpur has deteriorated, with banks being eroded by swollen rivers.
Troops have been deployed in worst-hit areas. Indian authorities have set up a total of 50 camps for people whose homes have been flooded.
