Monsoons claim 700 lives across South Asia

The death toll from two months of monsoon floods across South Asia topped 700 as heavy downpours hit India's western desert states…

The death toll from two months of monsoon floods across South Asia topped 700 as heavy downpours hit India's western desert states and Pakistan's Sindh province.

At least 36 people have lost their lives in Gujarat and Rajasthan over the past two days, mostly drowned by flooded rivers or killed by live electricity wires snapped by strong winds.

Troops helped in rescue efforts as the death toll rose to 319 in India and 150 in Pakistan since the start of the monsoon rains in June.

However, no casualties were reported Monday in Bangladesh and Nepal where landslides, lightning and floods have claimed 175 and 79 lives respectively.

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Authorities fear that 10 million people have lost homes, crops or livestock in South Asia.

"The situation is worsening," said Ali Nawaz Mallah, a relief official in the government of Pakistan's southern Sindh province on Monday. "The administration has called in more troops."

AP