Toddlers among over 1,200 dead as south Asia hit by monsoon flooding

Streets in Mumbai, India, have become waterlogged by Monsoon rain Credit: AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade

More than 1,200 people have died across south Asia, including two toddlers in India, as torrential monsoon rains struck the region bringing with it almost a month's worth of rain in a day.

India, Bangladesh and Nepal have all been affected by the heavy rainfall with officials in Mumbai reporting at least one woman and two toddlers had been killed after houses collapsed in the city's suburbs.

At least three others were also said to have died in the neighbouring city of Thane after being swept away by floodwater.

People across south Asia have been warned of more potential devastation and a rising death toll to come as further rain continues to exacerbate the worst floods to strike the region in years.

Villagers move past floodwaters with the help of a rope in Katihar district in east India. Credit: AP

The rains have led to major flooding in a broad arc stretching across the Himalayan foothills across India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The rising waters have swept people away to their deaths, washed away thousands of homes and flooded out crops on which people depend for their livelihood.

Though the confirmed death toll is at just over 1,200, that number is likely to rise.

Around 40 million others are thought to have been displaced, with many losing everything to the waters.

The water was waist high in some areas of India and many workers were left stranded and struggling to get home as the transport system ground to a halt. Credit: AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade

The Indian city of Mumbai was particularly badly hit by the extreme rain. Many streets have been turned into rivers and people have been left wading through waist-deep waters to get to and from work.

Late on Tuesday the city's commuter trains had to be shut down, buses ground to a halt as they were half-submerged under water, and the flooded airport had to divert flights to other cities.

Although transport was working again by Wednesday morning traffic reportedly remained chaotic and the Meteorological Department warned more rain was on the way.

The monsoon season lasts between June and September.