Monsoon wreaks havoc

Hundreds of people have lost their lives across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent days due to floods and landslides caused by monsoon-related rainfall. At the same time, the number of displaced has crossed the million mark.

In India, over eight million people are estimated to have been affected in the worst-hit states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Manipur and Odisham, with local authorities saying they are doing everything they can to provide aid and relief to those affected.

"We are doing our best to help marooned people in vulnerable areas to take shelter in relief camps. But it is tough as the rain has been unrelenting," Pradeep Kaushal, a commandant of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), told DW's India correspondent.

Kaushal pointed out that teams had fanned out to all flood-affected states and set up temporary relief camps for evacuees. In many states food packets have also been airdropped to flood victims, he added.

Army assistance

Though India receives much of its annual rainfall during the monsoon between June and September, this unprecedented rain has led to severe destruction of infrastructure and loss to life.

The South Asian nation's army has also been called in to assist with rescue and relief operations. West Bengal's State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called in the army to support some of the worst flood-hit areas where the death toll has climbed to nearly 50. Over 120 boats were pressed into service in 12 districts.

More floods?

In the meantime, India's meteorological department - which has been accurate with monsoon predictions over the last three years - warned of more rain in the coming days. "Our predictions are that the rainfall will continue especially in Manipur. Flood waters will cause more rivers here to swell. We have to be alert," L S Rathore, director general of the India Meteorological Department, told DW.

In neighboring Pakistan, the number of casualties from three weeks of flooding has already exceeded 100, and authorities fear the number could rise ever further in the coming days.

Pakistan has suffered deadly inundations around the same time every year since 2010, when the country was hit by the worst floods in its history. Ahmed Kamal, spokesman for Pakistan's National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), told news agency AFP that more than 850,000 people had been affected by this year's floods.

Southeast Asia

Inundations and landslides - exacerbated by Cyclone Komen - have also struck Southeast Asian nations such as Myanmar and Vietnam.

While officials say relief efforts remain in full swing, poor infrastructure and limited capabilities routinely hamper relief efforts in these countries. Authorities in Myanmar said the death toll in the country has climbed to 46, with many villagers in remote areas forced to use makeshift shelters.

The United Nations, meanwhile, warned that swollen rivers could lead to more floods, adding that it could take days before they could assess the true extent of damage.

In Vietnam, 23 people have reportedly died and thousands have been displaced as a result of the severe weather conditions. Quang Ninh Province, the worst-affected region, is a hub for coal mining in the country, and there are growing concerns among environmental groups about the potential contamination of local water bodies.

The annual monsoon is crucial for farmers across the region as it receives a huge chunk of its rainfall during this period. However, the rains and frequent powerful cyclones that usher them have repeatedly resulted in loss of life and property.