Northeast India rains kill 7:

Heavy rains and floods have killed at least seven people and forced around 1.2 million to leave their water-logged homes in India’s northeastern state of Assam.

Army soldiers on Tuesday used boats to rescue thousands of people stranded on the roofs of their homes and moved them to safer areas after incessant rain over the past few days caused widespread flooding in Assam.

State officials said vast tracts of Kaziranga National Park, home to the rare one-horned rhino, and another wildlife reserve were under water.

The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries were overflowing their banks in 18 of the state’s districts, washing away roads and highways and toppling power pylons.

Floods are an annual occurrence in Assam and many parts of India during the June-September monsoon season. (AP)