Floods in India, 77 people were killed

The number of deaths due to floods in northeastern India reached 77, and more than 2,000 villages were flooded.

Heavy rains lasting more than a week in the state of Assam cause the water level of the Brahmaputra River, one of Asia's largest rivers, to exceed danger. The small tributaries of this river also overflowed.

A family sits on a boat at Tin Tukra, Assam state on June 30, 2012. (Photo: AP)

Times of India quoted an official today saying 61 people were killed in the flood, 16 died from landslides and 6 were missing. It is expected that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA President Sonia Gandhi will visit areas hit by natural disasters today.

According to Assam state disaster management, thousands of houses have been destroyed and more than 480,000 people have to evacuate to government rescue camps. In most parts of the state yesterday there was no rain, but a storm is expected to sweep through the state in the next 24 hours.

Officials in northeastern India are warning about poaching of species on the brink of extinction such as rhinos and Asian elephants . after the flood.

Seasonal rain in India begins in June and ends in September. The state of Assam has been flooded almost every year, but this year's disaster is considered the worst in at least a decade.