75 dead, over 6 mln affected by floods in Bangladesh

The floods in parts of Bangladesh have left 75 people dead, affected over 6 million people and displaced many families in almost half of the country.

Flood affected people wait in a line to get primary medical treatment in Pachgachi, Kurigram, Bangladesh on 27 July 2019. [Photo: Syed Mahamudur Rahman/NurPhoto via ZUMA Press via IC]

Bangladeshi State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman told journalists Sunday that some 60,74,415 people were affected due to floods in 28 districts.

Floods and landslides triggered by heavy seasonal rains and onrush of water from hills across the Indian borders have worsened this month in Bangladesh.

According to the state minister, authorities have rushed teams of disaster response forces to carry out rescue operation, distribute relief materials and supervise centers where thousands of families have taken shelter.

Floods have also caused widespread damage to habitation, crops, roads and highways across vast swathes of the country.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier asked officials to remain alert to tackle flood, saying some parts of the country have been flooded and the flood water would slowly come down to the mid areas of the country by the end of August.

Millions of people in Bangladesh, criss-crossed by more than 230 rivers, suffer from flooding as the low-lying country experiences seasonal floods every year.