At least 30 people have died in heavy monsoon rains and floods in central and northern India over the past three days, officials and news reports said Sunday.

At least 18 people had been killed in different parts of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh after incessant rains since Friday, Revenue Department official Ashok Gupta said.

 Most of the deaths were caused by house collapses and when people were swept away by overflowing rivers.

The worst affected districts were Satna and Rewa where several villages were inundated. People had been evacuated and housed in relief camps, Gupta said.

Five people also died after their house collapsed in Baran district of Rajasthan state while seven members of a family were killed when their house was destroyed by a landslide in Pauri district of Uttarakhand, state-run broadcaster Doordarshan reported.

India's Meteorological Department has forecast heavy showers across central and northern India over the next couple of days.

The Army and the Air Force were helping in rescuing marooned people and air dropping food, water and essential supplies, Doordarshan reported.

India's monsoon season runs from June to September and is a lifeline for farmers but often causes large-scale destruction.

At least 150 deaths have been reported during the monsoon season this year with north-eastern Assam state the worst affected.