India floods death toll rises to 61

The death toll from the floods which hit India's north-eastern state of Assam has risen to 61. At least another 31 people were announced dead on Sunday in the floods that hit India during the monsoon season. The floods have swamped more than 2,000 villages across 23 of Assam's 27 districts since mid-June, forcing around two million people to leave their homes for higher ground. Since Friday, 31 people were killed in flood-related incidents including 16 deaths in landslides in the North Cachar Hills district and state capital Guwahati, Assam's Agriculture Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka said. "Although the rains have eased and the water-level in rivers has started receding, the situation still remains grim," said Deka, who considered the floods as the worst in Assam since 1998. Most of the displaced people were in makeshift shelters on embankments. Many villagers moved to higher ground around their homes. Around 500,000 people were lodged in 770 state-run relief camps. Meanwhile, Assam was jolted by an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale Sunday morning but no casualties or damage were reported, the (IANS) news agency reported. Almost every year, monsoon-driven floods cause widespread destruction as overflowing rivers submerge villages and farmland. The monsoon season in India lasts from June to October. According to the Indian federal Home Ministry, more than 150 people have died during the monsoon season across India so far this year.