Floods in India kill 33, displace thousands

Houses are seen submerged in the waters of overflowing river Godavari after heavy rainfall in Nashik, India, August 5, 2019. (REUTERS)

Floods brought by heavy rains and overflowing rivers across large swathes of western and southern India have killed at least 33 people and forced the evacuation of 180,000 from their homes, officials said on Thursday.

Seasonal monsoon rains from June to September cause deaths and mass displacement across South Asia every year, but they deliver more than 70% of India’s rainfall, crucial for farm output and economic growth.