Rescuers struggled to provide aid today to nearly three million people affected by monsoon floods that have ravaged eastern India, killing at least 54 people.

A series of landslides, house collapses and flooding caused by heavy rains have killed at least 21 people and injured dozens of others in India's remote north-east, officials said today.

India’s Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee flashed a “V” sign for victory as he voted in today’s round of parliamentary elections and expressed confidence he would be returned to office for another five years, despite predictions his coalition might lose seats.

An opinion poll ahead of tomorrow’s penultimate phase of India’s general elections showed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coalition surging ahead of its rivals, but falling short of a majority in parliament.

Torrential rains today caused more flooding in India’s remote northeast, affecting more than 50,000 people and cutting a key land route, officials said.