At least 20 dead, more than 5.2 million affected by floods in Bangladesh

At least 20 people have died and more than 5.2 million have been affected by torrential rains in Bangladesh. The floods have also left many people isolated and lacking food, clean water, medicine and dry clothing, especially in remote areas. Meanwhile, damaged roads and flooding have hampered rescue and relief efforts.

A flooded street in southeastern Bangladesh. Photo: CNN

Some parts of eastern Bangladesh have recorded nearly 200mm of rain in recent days, causing floodwaters to rise, according to CNN. The Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Center said 13 rivers in the region had recorded water levels above the "danger level." Videos showed people rowing boats and evacuating their belongings through muddy streams as floodwaters lapped at roofs. Wet weather is expected to continue across Tripura state and eastern Bangladesh, with rainfall forecast to range from 50 to 150mm over the next three days.

Bangladesh's interim government head Mohammad Yunus said all necessary measures have been taken to ensure a quick return to normal life.

Some residents in Bangladesh have accused neighboring India of opening dam sluice gates to cause the floods, a claim New Delhi has denied. The Bangladeshi military has focused on rescuing people trapped in isolated neighborhoods. Authorities say more than 400,000 people have been evacuated to 3,500 temporary shelters in flood-hit districts, with the help of the army and border guards. Government buildings and high schools have been converted into shelters.

The World Bank estimates that 3.5 million people in Bangladesh, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, are at risk of annual flooding, which scientists blame on climate change.

HUY QUOC

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/it-nhat-20-nguoi-chet-hon-52-trieu-nguoi-bi-anh-huong-boi-mua-lu-o-bangladesh-post755736.html