Death toll from floods caused by Monsoon downpours soar

NEW DELHI (AFP) - Monsoon downpours showed no signs of abating yesterday as the death toll from floods and landslides caused by the heavy rains soared to nearly 1,700 in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Nepal was the worst hit with an estimated 800 killed. In India, 650 people are reported dead and in Bangladesh, 250. Seven Chinese labourers and 50 local Nepalese labourers were swept to their deaths as they tried to divert the Narayani River.