NEW DELHI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 79 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in India as of Monday.

Among them, 16 were killed in southern Indian state of Kerala, a minister said Monday.

"Torrential rains that lashed parts of Kerala for the past two days have claimed 16 lives so far," Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan told the state assembly.

He also said that over 1,200 houses have been partially or fully damaged in the rains.

"The families of those killed will be given compensation of four lakh rupees (6,000 U.S. dollars)," the minister added.

Kerala is not the only state that suffered deaths in rain-related incidents.

A total of 26 people lost their lives in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in heavy rains, thunderstorms and lightning Friday night.

In neighboring state of Bihar, thunderstorms and lightening have claimed 27 lives last week.

Nearly 250 people were killed and over 400 others injured in heavy rains, thunderstorms and dust storms in five Indian states last month.