New Delhi, Aug. 7 (SANA)Floods in northeastern India have killed at least 97 people over the past several days, according to an official toll released Friday by the authorities, as heavy monsoon rains submerged villages and flooded homes and agricultural land, AFP reported.

Thefloodsin Assam state, described as the worst in years, have affected nearly 170,000 people, forcing thousands to seek shelter in temporary relief camps after rivers overflowed and swamped homes. More than 14,000 hectares of agricultural land have been inundated, authorities said.

Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda said the scale of destruction is “enormous,” adding that the water is “submerging village after village” and recovery will take time.

Flooding in Assam is common during the monsoon season from June to September, when the Brahmaputra River—India‘s largest—and its tributaries overflow. However, experts say climate change, combined with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency and intensity of such disasters.

Earlier this month, Indian authorities reported 14 deaths fromheavy rains, floods and landslides in the southern states of Kerala and Karnataka on August 3. The monsoon has been unusually severe this year, with widespread flooding across multiple states and authorities struggling to provide relief to affected communities.