Over 2 lakh stranded in Bangladesh flooding

Extensive flooding in eastern Bangladesh has left more than 200,000 people stranded, an official said Wednesday (Aug 21).

Shahina Akhter, chief of the Feni district administration, said that three sub-districts - Phulgazi, Chhagalnaiya and Porsuram - were particularly hard hit by the rain-triggered floods.

Heavy rain for nearly a week and the onrush of water from upstream hilly areas caused local rivers to burst their banks, she said.

"Army troops along with local volunteers have started evacuating the flood-affected people to safety," Akhter told by phone.

No one has yet been reported as dead or missing, she said.

Motahar Hossain, a local resident in Phulgazi, said many thatched homes and croplands are flooded.

People in remote areas were using boats as a means of transportation as most of the roads were underwater, he said, adding that in some low-laying areas the water reached up to the roofs of the houses.

The local weather office reported 183 millimetres of rainfall in Feni district through today morning (Aug 21). More rain was in the forecast through Friday.