Floods kill 15 in Bangla, thousands stranded

Dhaka, July 22: At least 15 people have been killed in floods in Bangladesh triggered by heavy monsoon rains over the past three days and nearly half a million stranded in their homes, officials said today.

Meteorologists said over 100 of rain fell in northern areas over the past 24 hours and several rivers had burst their banks.

More than 770 people have died as a result of this year's monsoon season across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Lightning killed up to 30 people in a remote village in Pakistan on Friday, and dozens of homes were destroyed.

Officials in Bangladesh said floods in rivers in the south and eastern parts of the country had left nearly half a million people stranded in their homes.

More rains have been forecast for the next few days, the Dhaka weather office said. Streets in the capital were under knee-deep rain water.

The deaths were mostly from house collapses and mudslides, officials said.

Reuters>