Indian air force helicopters swept low over the flooded plains of northern India today, dropping desperately needed aid to some 2 million people marooned by some of the worst flooding to hit the area in 30 years, officials said.

Helicopters dropped food to almost two million marooned villagers in India today as the death toll from unusually heavy monsoon rains and floods in South Asia crossed 200, officials said.

Monsoon floods ravaging Bangladesh for more than a week have killed about 46 people and displaced or marooned millions, authorities said today.

Bangladesh’s new interim leader took charge of security agencies and the election commission today as mass arrests continued days after the president declared a state of emergency following weeks of deadly unrest ahead of disputed elections.