FACTBOX: Economic and social impact of South Asian floods

(Reuters) - Heavy rains and swelling rivers have caused immense misery for millions of people living in South Asia. Here are some key facts about the economic and social impact of the floods on the region.

KEY FACTS:

* The South Asian monsoon season runs from June and to September. The rains are vital for irrigation of farmland and economic growth in a region heavily dependent on agriculture. However, they often leave massive destruction in their wake.

* This year's monsoon has killed around 1,000 people in South Asia so far, most of them in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in July.

* The eastern Indian state of Bihar was swamped when the Kosi River burst a dam in Nepal last month, sending a massive wall of water into India, swallowing hundreds of villages.

* Heavy rains in the northeastern state of Assam have caused the Brahmaputra river, one of the largest rivers in Asia, to burst its banks sending people and animals fleeing. The rains are also causing panic in Bangladesh as river levels rise.

FIGURES AND ECONOMIC DATA

BIHAR: Population - 83 million. Agriculture is the mainstay and paddy, wheat, lentils and sugarcane are major crops grown.

IMPACT: About three million people displaced, 90 killed and some 200,000 in relief camps. 920,000 livestock have been affected. Local media says the death toll could be much higher.

The floods have also submerged about 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) of farmland, destroying crops worth millions of rupees.

ASSAM: Population - 26.7 million. Assam is India's major tea and oil producing state.

IMPACT: More than a million people have been affected by floods after the Brahmaputra burst its banks. So far, 15 people have been killed and 120,000 ha (300,000 acres) of farmland submerged. Most of the Kaziranga National Park, home to more than half of the world's population of one-horned rhinoceros, is under water and at least two rhino calves have drowned.

Tea and oil production have not been affected so far.

UTTAR PRADESH: Population - 170 million. Uttar Pradesh lies on extremely fertile land and is a major contributor to the national foodgrain stock. It is also home to more than 70 percent of the national livestock population.

IMPACT: The floods, which are now receding, have killed 840 people and affected 2.3 million. Total crop and livestock losses amount 2.7 billion rupees ($60 million).

BANGLADESH: Population - 150.4 million. Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries and is prone to cyclones and flooding due to its low-lying position. Bangladesh is largely agrarian and has a significant garment-making industry. Rice, tea and mustard are its major crops.

IMPACT: Rising water levels continue to inundate areas in central and northern Bangladesh. About 200,000 people have been displaced and more than 100,000 ha (250,000 acres) of farmland submerged.

NEPAL: Population - 29 million. Nepal's economy centers around agriculture and tourism.

IMPACT: UNICEF estimates that more than 100,000 people have been displaced by floods caused by breaches in the Saptakoshi River. About 100 people have lost their lives in Nepal this year since the monsoon rains began in June.

(Complied by Melanie Lee)

((melaniest.lee@thomsonreuters.com; +65 6403 5666; Reuters Messaging: melaniest.lee.reuters.com@reuters.net)

($1=43.95 Indian Rupee)