Monsoon death toll reaches 294

An overflowing river spilled into an Indian city of half a million people today, and Indian and Nepalese helicopters rushed supplies to thousands of stranded people as the death toll across South Asia from monsoon flooding rose to 294.

The fatalities were the result of building collapses, drownings, electrocution and waterborne diseases since the torrential rain began in mid-June across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.