Flash floods kill 5 in Bangladesh, maroon many

Dhaka, June 2: Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have killed five people, marooned about 100,000, and damaged hundreds of homes in Bangladesh over the last three days, police and officials said today.

The victims died in house collapses and a boat sinking in northern Jamalpur and central Madaripur districts while several hundred houses were damaged in northeastern Sylhet and southeastern Chittagong areas.

The situation worsened in Sylhet, 350 km from Dhaka, after the Surma river burst its banks at several points, local officials said.

About 100,000 people were marooned in the district, they said.

Meteorologists said early monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal had spread to the central part of the country and in the next 48 hours it would extend to the whole of Bangladesh, bringing in more rains.

REUTERS