DHAKA: The death toll from heavy rainfall and subsequent floods caused by river overflows continues to play havoc in Bangladesh, with media reporting 59 deaths.
The local media on Sunday reported that monsoon rains have been affecting the country for nearly two weeks, and severely impacting the lives of millions.
According to authorities, approximately 5.5 million people in 11 districts of the country have been affected by the floods. The majority of the population of these areas live near the Indian border.
The number of fatalities has increased to 59, with 37 of them in the northeastern regions of Feni and Cumilla.
Around 600 healthcare teams are on the ground in the flood-hit areas, while over 500,000 people have been relocated to 3,403 temporary shelters.
Earlier this week, disaster officials reported that river water in low-lying Bangladesh is reducing after days of deadly floods but 300,000 people are still in emergency shelters and need urgent aid.
The heavy floods, which killed at least 18 people, have also added to the challenges of a new government. Rescue teams, including joint forces of the army, air force and navy, are helping the flood victims.
Disaster management minister Faruk-i-Azam said the flood situation is improving as the flood water started to recede.
More than 307,000 people are in still in shelters and more than 5.2 million have been affected by the floods.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reached out to the interim government of Bangladesh, extending an offer of aid to address the impacts of recent flooding.
There are reports suggesting the involvement of India in the recent flood situation in Bangladesh. According to a CNN report the people in Feni, which is near the India-Bangladesh border, accused New Delhi of releasing water from the Dumbur dam in Tripura state without warning.
The government of India has said that a communication breakdown and a power outage prevented them from sending the usual warnings to downstream areas before the release of water.
