Raging floods inundate more than 2,000 villages, kill at least 27 people in northeast India

GAUHATI, India – Raging floodwaters fed by monsoon rains have inundated more than 2,000 villages, killed at least 27 people and left hundreds of thousands more marooned in northeast India.

The air force is delivering food packages Friday to people huddled on patches of dry land along with cattle and wild elephants. Rescuers are being dropped in by helicopter to help the stranded.

Officials say 2,084 villages across Assam state have been flooded. On Thursday, residents of Majuli island watched helplessly as the swirling waters of the Brahmaputra river swallowed 50 villages.

Officials have counted 27 people dead so far, but the toll is expected to be much higher as unconfirmed casualty reports mount.

Telephone lines have been knocked out and some train services were cancelled after tracks were swamped by mud.