Monsoon Floods Strand 300,000

CALCUTTA, India (AP) -- Monsoon season has just begun in India, and hundreds of thousands of people have already been cut off in villages in the eastern part of the country.

Officials says at least 38 people have been killed. Soldiers and rescue worked are trying to get relief supplies into the state of West Bengal where floods have destroyed bridges, washed out major highways and sent villagers in search of higher ground. Authorities are arranging to bring in helicopters so food can be dropped to the hardest-hit areas.

Officials say the state may not have enough rescue supplies and a shortage of boats is slowing the pace of rescue work.

Weather forecasters are predicting more rain in coming days.

Monsoon rains usually hit India from June to September. While farmers depend on them for their crops, they often bring massive destruction as well.