Severe Floods Kill 13 People in Bangladesh, 4.5 Million Affected

At least 13 people have been killed in extensive flooding that also stranded nearly 4.5 million people in eastern Bangladesh, the government said on Friday. According to dpa, days of heavy rains and a surge of water flowing down from upstream hilly areas caused local rivers to burst their banks, leading to widespread devastation. Kamrul Hasan, a senior official at the Bangladeshi Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said 12 out of 64 administrative districts were affected by the flooding, which had killed 13 people as of Friday. He said nearly 4.5 million people have been struck by the high waters. "The situation is gradually improving," Hasan said, referring to the forecast by the Dhaka Met Office that predicted a let-up in rain. The floodwaters have submerged homes, public and private establishments, croplands and roads across vast areas in the east of the country. The rescue and relief operations are being conducted in many places by army troops, members of the navy and coastguard, as wel l as the fire service and volunteers from the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. Source: Saudi Press Agency