The number of recent floods caused by ongoing heavy rainfall during monsoon season in India, has claimed the lives of 57 people and forced another 100,000 from their homes in south and southwest India.

Three days of heavy rains and flash floods has brought misery to the lives of further millions in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharasthra, as reports also indicate some deaths were caused by lightning strikes.

World Vision India field staff responded immediately to the emergency, completing their relief assessments in areas that have been badly hit by the storms and will continue to monitor other disaster prone areas.

One assessment, which has been completed, includes the World Vision program area of Premamaya, funded by World Vision Canada. Here six villages in the Tangatur area have been severely affected by the excess rainwater, as a relief program is being developed to address the immediate needs and provide vital assistance to communities.

"We are in touch with our Area Development Programs (ADP's) in all the three flood affected states and they have been asked to stay alert to the situation", said Franklin Joseph, Director - ERDM.

In worst hit state of Andhra Pradesh the government has set up 95 relief camps alone. The local administration, police and army continue their rescue operations in the flood-affected areas.

Most of the deaths took place in the southwestern district of Kurnool. In Kurnool, the Kundu River broke its banks and marooned Nandyal, a town of approximately 150,000 people.

In Gulbagra World Vision Area Development program, 47 sponsored children have been affected by floodwaters. World Vision conducted relief distributions immediately including providing cooked food to the affected families and also exercise books to 243 children. However the rising waters had entered the dwelling sheds of 30 families damaging their food grains, clothes and books.

In Premamya World Vision ADP, 105 sponsored children in Karumanchi and Thurupu Naidupalem village have been affected by the flashfloods caused by the cyclonic storm damaging 20 houses.

"Thankfully all these children are now safe along with their families", said Prasad Talluri Programme Manager. The project confirms that the situation is improving and under control.

However in Ukumnal, Uthnal & Hegdiyal villages 100 homes were reported to have collapsed and as a result many families have been temporarily housed in government school buildings which are being used as relief camps. Working alongside the government, World Vision staff members have been asked to monitor the situation.

In many villages the water level has now started to recede, making it possible to walk the streets again.

"We continue to follow the situation closely and try to ensure that people only benefit from the rains that the monsoon brings, rather than the devastation", said Bob Jacob, Associate Director - Hyderabad Monitoring Office.

Government officials in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra said that flooding has also disrupted road, rail and air traffic, and caused power and communication failures.

In Maharashtra, 15 people died in house collapses from heavy downpours and lightning strikes. Another 10 deaths were reported from coastal Kerala state.

The annual monsoon set over southern India earlier this month and more rain is expected in the region.

Contacts: For more information or interviews please contact: Jayanth Vincent, +91 98400 64165 or Andrea Russell, Asia Pacific Office on +91 9989 238223.

For relief operation updates, funding or proposals please contact: Franklin Joseph. + 91 98407 83999