Death toll in South Asian floods tops 360

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.

The death toll from the recent flooding surged past 360 even as the waters began to recede across northern India and Bangladesh and aid workers scrambled to prevent an outbreak of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases.