New Delhi, Jun. 2, (dpa/GNA) – At least 34 people have died in floods and landslides in north-eastern India, according to local media reports.

The floods were caused by prolonged heavy rain since the end of May, NDTV and other Indian media outlets reported on Monday.

Assam and six other states in the world’s most populous country have been particularly hard hit. Weather authorities expected further heavy rainfall until the middle of this week.

The floodwaters inundated numerous roads and fields, damaging or destroying bridges and houses. Tens of thousands of people spent the nights in emergency shelters.

The full extent of the damage was initially unclear. According to the PTI news agency, at least eight people were found dead in Assam after floods and landslides.

In the state of Arunachal Pradesh, a vehicle was hit by sliding earth and debris on a motorway, according to The Indian Express newspaper. All seven occupants, who belonged to two families, were killed.

The monsoon season began earlier than usual in parts of India this year.

Flooding and mudslides are not uncommon during the rainy season, which usually lasts until September. The rain is vital for plant life and agriculture, but it can also be life-threatening for humans.

GNA

PDC