India and Pakistan floods: Death toll rises

The death toll from floods in India and Pakistan has passed 375 as authorities continue efforts to rescue hundreds of thousands of stranded people.

More than 200 people are now thought to have died in Pakistan, where flood waters have destroyed thousands of homes and large areas of farmland.

In Indian-administered Kashmir some 175 people have been killed, many of them swept away by surging rivers.

Leaders of both countries have offered to help each other provide relief.

Over the weekend Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, offering help to flood-hit victims on that side of the border.

Late on Monday, Mr Sharif thanked Mr Modi for his offer and said Pakistan was “prepared to extend a helping hand, in whatever way possible”.

Correspondents say it is unlikely that either side will accept the other’s offer of help, given that Kashmir is one of the most heavily militarised regions in the world.

Meanwhile, authorities in both countries are engaged in relief operations. In Pakistan, officials said most of those killed were in Punjab province.

Landslides have damaged roads and power lines, leaving many people without electricity and drinking water in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.