Bangladesh: Floods killed 94 people over last 2 weeks

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Floods killed nearly 100 people and affected over 10,000 others across Bangladesh in the last 13 days, the nation’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Seventy out of the 94 were victims of drowning, while snake bite, lightning, and respiratory tract infection were other causes of death, added the ministry.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, the flood situation is improving across the country. While flood levels remained unchanged in some northern areas of the country due to rainfall, water levels in the country’s main rivers, the Jamuna and Ganges-Padma, are likely to fall.

The situation will improve shortly as further floods in August are unlikely, added the center.

On the other hand, local media reported that rising waters in some areas of northern Bangladesh have exacerbated the flooding.

State meteorologists expect heavy rainfall in upland areas over the next 48 hours.

Earlier, in a report, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent said that more than 66,000 homes were destroyed and 4 million people are at risk of food insecurity and disease.

In 2017, 42% of Bangladesh's total land was submerged in floodwaters, affecting millions of people.