Early monsoon rains kill 45 in India

Torrential monsoon rains that came three weeks earlier than normal have killed at least 45 people in the southern state of Kerala, a government minister said today.

Mudslides and floods have destroyed nearly 500 houses and more than 1,000 people have taken shelter in 12 emergency relief camps set up across the state this week, Revenue Minister KM Mani said.

At least 16 fishermen were missing at sea as the northern districts of Calicut, Kannur and Kasargode received up to 7 inches of rain this month, the state meteorology department said.

This was a 15-year high for June, which usually averages 4.3ins of rain in the state.

The monsoon accounts for 80% of the annual rainfall in India, and is essential to successful harvests due to the country’s poor irrigation facilities.