Floods hit thousands in Bangladesh

Heavy rains have caused swollen rivers to overflow, flooding dozens of farming villages and stranding nearly 50,000 people in northeastern Bangladesh, officials said today.

Heavy rains have caused swollen rivers to overflow, flooding dozens of farming villages and stranding nearly 50,000 people in northeastern Bangladesh, officials said on Thursday.

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After three days of incessant rains, the Khowai and Dhalai rivers overflowed yesterday inundating about 50 villages in neighbouring districts of Moulvibazar and Habiganj, relief officials said.

Some 50,000 people have been marooned in the region, 160 kilometers northeast of the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka. Many of the affected villagers have lost rice crops in fields.

Flood waters have submerged several roads, disrupting transportation in the affected areas and leaving many able to travel only in small boats.

The Khowai river threatened to breach an embankment protecting Habiganj town, the officials said.