NEW DELHI • Flash floods from torrential downpours in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have killed 15 people, with seven deaths during the weekend, and left thousands of people displaced, the authorities said yesterday.

Indian news channels showed footage of inundated cities in the state yesterday, with residents forced to wade through waist-deep water.

State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asked senior officials to stay vigilant for the next 24 hours as more heavy rain is forecast. "Seven people have lost their lives in the past one day, taking the overall toll to 15," Mr Chouhan said in a video message on Twitter. He added that some major roads were still flooded after days of heavy rain.

"We have already rescued and moved around 6,000 people to temporary shelters in the past few days. Around 500 were rescued to safer areas on Saturday," he added.

Parts of central India, including Madhya Pradesh, had also been some of the worst drought- affected areas in the country.

In Nepal, more than 20 houses have been swept away by flash floods after the Bhotekoshi River, which originates from the Himalayas, saw a sudden rise of about 4m in water levels on Tuesday. Hundreds of families have been evacuated.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, KATHMANDU POST/ASIA NEW NETWORK