Over 250,000 people affected by floods in northeastern India

Indian authorities Monday said at least one person has died and over 250,000 people have been affected by floods in the northeastern state of Assam, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

"Floods have hit seven districts of Assam, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Golaghat, Cachar, Dhemaji, Biswanath and Karimganj. Some 500 villages have submerged under water, affecting over 250,000 people," an official of Assam State Disaster Management Authority said.

"The body of a person has been recovered from Subansiri river in north Lakhimpur. He probably drowned some days back. A six-year-old child was reportedly swept away at Lakhimpur district last night," he added.

Over 14,000 have taken shelter at 66 relief camps in Cachar and Karimganj districts, another relief and rescue official said.

Meanwhile, weather officials said several rivers, including the main Brahmaputra river, are maintaining a rising trend for a consecutive fifth day and many of them have breached their banks in low-lying areas.

Local TV channels showed footage of damaged roads, culverts and bridges and reported that there has been a major disruption of road communication in many areas.

"Disaster officials are doing their best to help people affected by floods. The Indian Army may also be called out for help if the situation worsens. Relief camps have been set up across the seven affected districts and free food is being provided there," said another official.

Floods are an annual occurrence in Assam during the monsoon season. In July 2012, floods in Assam killed more than 100 people and forced over five million people to leave their homes.

-- BERNAMA