Bangladesh floods leave 71 dead, amid rising disease risk

The death toll from floods in Bangladesh rose to 71 on Sept 3, with millions of people still stranded in devastated areas and increasing concern about outbreaks of waterborne disease as the inundation recedes.

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The floods, triggered by relentless monsoon rains and runoff from upstream waterways, have wreaked havoc over the past two weeks, causing widespread destruction and affecting around five million people.

More than 580,000 families are still marooned in 11 flood-hit districts, and in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine and dry clothing. Nearly 500 medical teams were helping to provide treatment, with the army, air force, navy and the border guard assisting in relief efforts.