Bangladesh flood toll rises to 443

Dhaka, Aug 14 (UNI) With 38 more deaths during the last 24 hours, the toll in the devastating floods in Bangladesh today rose to 443.

The current floods have affected over 10.3 million people in 39 districts of the riverine nation. Some 2,32,000 people were living in 1004 relief camps.

Health Advisor Major Gen (Retd) Motiur Rahman told a press briefing that 53,307 people were admitted to hospitals with complaints of diarrhoea, and some 3,207 medical teams and 28 mobile hospitals were treating the patients round-the-clock.

Mr Rahman, however, claimed the disease was still not an epidemic.

Claiming that it was under control, Mr Rahman said the government had adequate medicines and staff to treat the patients.

Food and Disaster Management Advisor Tapan Chowdhury said the Saudi government pledged 300 metric tons of relief materials for the flood victims. The first consignment of 54 metric tons had already arrived here Monday night by a cargo plane.

The UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and Turkey also pledged assistance for relief and rehabilitation for the flood victims, he added.

UNI