About 20 people have been killed in flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains in the east Indian state of Orissa, national media said on Wednesday.

Torrential rains have battered various parts of the state for four days, causing rivers to swell to dangerous levels.

Thousands of people have been affected by the floods, and scores of houses have been damaged. The official death toll is at 15.

At least seven people died and another 15 went missing after a flash flood swept a passenger bus off a bridge over the Besalia River in Orissa on Monday. Another 22 people were rescued.

Local authorities have allocated $2,000 to the families of each of the victims.

India`s monsoon season, which usually occurs from early July to September, regularly inflicts major destruction.
sections: Accidents