Snakebite kills 21 in Orissa

At least 21 people have died of snake bites in areas of the eastern Indian state of Orissa affected by the recent floods.

A health department official told the BBC the number of dead was expected to rise once final casualty figures became available.

During the monsoon season, snakes often swim into flooded houses.

State officials said overall 98 people had died as a result of last month's floods - the worst in 50 years.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service