July 15, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424

NEW DELHI, July 14: Monsoon rains and floods in India have so far claimed more than 120 lives, while tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate submerged areas, reports said Monday.

Forty-five people have died so far in the worst-hit northeastern state of Assam and northwestern Rajasthan, 50 in West Bengal and Bihar, 16 in New Delhi, nine in northern Uttar Pradesh, and five in Uttaranchal, reports said.

Army and civilian authorities in Assam were engaged in rescue and relief operations as the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries continued to burst the banks at several spots.

State officials said floods in Assam have destroyed 125,000 hectares of land, 3,000 houses, and caused property damage worth 10 million rupees (212,000 US dollars).

In Bihar, some 40,000 people have lost homes due to flooding.—dpa