Several killed, hundreds displaced due to rains in Bangladesh

Monsoon rains have affected normal life in Bangladesh as over a dozen people have been killed and hundreds others displaced. Most of the rivers are flooded as there has been a heavy onrush of water from upstream India. Authorities concerned are busy in rescue and rehabilitation work in the affected areas.

Rangpur, Bangladesh: At least a dozen people, mostly farmers in rural areas, have been killed by lightning in Bangladesh since Saturday, as monsoon rains continue to batter low-lying areas of the country, official sources said.

Water Development Board official Rabiul Islam said about 40,000 people have been affected as their homes have been submerged.

Bangladesh, a low-lying delta nation of 160 million people with more than 130 rivers, is prone to monsoon floods because of overflowing rivers and the heavy onrush of water from upstream India.

Heavy flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have also affected Nepal where at least 50 people have been killed.

Rain-triggered floods, mudslides and lightning have left a trail of destruction across South Asia.