At Least 22 Dead in India Rains

NEW DELHI (RIA Novosti) - At least 22 people have been killed in southeastern India in heavy rains resulting from Cyclone Nilam, the Indian news agency IANS reported Monday.

The cyclone hit India last week and has seriously affected the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. Strong rains have virtually paralyzed road and rail connections and have severely damaged crops, according to media reports.

Authorities organized 86 temporary refugee camps for the more than 60,000 people that were displaced as a result of the rains. About 500 villages are located within the flooded area.

Forecasters in India have warned that the rain may continue in coming days.