22 killed in flood in eastern India

At least 22 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands affected by flash flood in the cyclone-hit eastern Indian states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh due to heavy rains over the past few days, said local TV channel CNN- IBN Friday.

The deaths were mostly caused by wall collapses and drownings. Ten people died in Orissa and 12 died in neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

The two states were also subject to a powerful cyclone two weeks ago which killed over 30 people.

Authorities said Orissa, also known as Odisha, is now faced with flash flood from the heavy rains as over 130 villages in the state are being submerged by water, marooning over 700,000 people.

The whole district of Ganjam of the state, worst hit by the cyclone, was completely flooded.

Three army helicopters are rescuing villagers from the water. Over 50,000 have been evacuated to safe places.

Schools and colleges will remain closed until Monday as meteorological department predicts more rains in the next 24 hours.