Heavy rains trigger deadly floods in Bangladesh

More than a million Bangladeshis have been caught up in severe flooding triggered by monsoon rains over the past month.

The Ministry of Disaster and Relief said at least three people have died in flooding since the start of monsoon season, which runs from July to September.

Officials said heavy rainfall and the onrush of river waters from upstream India were creating havoc in Bangladesh, a delta nation of 160 million people that is crisscrossed by 230 rivers.

Bangladesh's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said that flooding could worsen at the beginning of next week because of growing devastation in the vast region along the Brahmaputra and Teesta rivers.

It said the situation would remain unstable over the next two weeks, causing further suffering for affected people.

The rains are crucial for rain-fed crops planted during the season but often cause extensive damage.

(Representative Image)