The situation in rain-battered Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala [Images] eased on Monday following a let-up in the rains that wreaked havoc over the past few days claiming 157 lives.

However, heavy monsoon showers accompanied by strong winds lashed Gujarat's coastal districts of Jamnagar and Kutch due to depression over Arabian Sea adjoining Kutch coast.

The weathermen in Maharashtra said 'heavy to very heavy' rains and gusty winds were likely to hit Mumbai and its suburbs again by Tuesday.

Four minors, aged between six and eight years, died when they drowned in a large ditch filled with rain water in Takli-Haji village near Pune, police said.

A report from Ahmedabad said that a merchant vessel had got stranded near Porbandar coast off Saurashtra region of Gujarat after being caught in the stormy sea.

The Coast Guard, which is yet to begin rescue operations because of the extremely turbulent sea, is in constant with the crew members who are safe, officials said.

The situation in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra eased after several days of rain fury and floods.

Relief operations by the authorities in makeshift camps and flood-affected areas continued in full swing.

In Karnataka, the toll in the heavy downpour in the past two days has gone up to 43 and has left about 4,500 people homeless, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said. The toll had earlier been put at 39.

While Kerala accounted for 59 deaths, at least 37 people have died in Andhra Pradesh and 18 in Maharashtra.

A Home Ministry official in New Delhi said two army columns comprising about 200 personnel and two helicopters have been dispatched to flood-ravaged Andhra Pardesh for rescue and relief operations.