Heavy monsoons lash south India

Hyderabad: At least forty people were killed by heavy monsoon rains in southern India, over the weekend, officials said on Sunday.

The rains swamped towns and tore down homes in Andhra Pradesh state.

Fourteen people were killed in the capital Hyderabad where, mostly crushed under the roofs of their homes. Two people were electrocuted by uprooted power lines.

The rains have displaced more than 150,000 people, who have shifted to makeshift camps in the state's coastal belt.

Rescue missions were underway, with boats being used to rescue people trapped in flooded neighbourhoods and air force helicopters on standby.