Flood in Bangladesh

Sixteen people have died in floods affecting Bangladesh.

An estimated 1.5 million people have been affected by the floods, which follow days of heavy rainfall in the region.

The torrential rain has affected several other countries in the region and caused rivers such as the Brahmaputra, which passes through Bangladesh, to flood. The Brahmaputra, Ganges (locally known as Padma) and Meghna Rivers - three of the largest in Asia - all meet in Bangladesh and form the Bengal Delta, which means that flood waters are travelling down-river towards Bangladesh. The Jamuna, Surma, Kushiyara and Dharla Rivers all reached dangerously high water levels, inundating inhabited areas in the country. There are also concerns that the Ganges may rise, contributing to floods in Rajbari, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Shariatpur districts.

The water levels in the major rivers are expected to begin receding over the next few days and forecasters expect little rain for Bangladesh during that time.

Despite the potential for an improved situation, it is estimated that thousands of homes and hundreds of villages have been flooded. Hundreds of people have also been left isolated by the floods, and road and railway lines have been blocked in some locations.

The government has established 70 evacuation shelters for those affected by the disaster, but many other areas are still facing difficulties in obtaining clean water and food. The flood waters have also damaged crops, particularly Aman rice seed-beds.

While the flooding began in the north-east of the country, it is now spreading toward the central and southern areas of Bangladesh, flowing along rivers and downhill.