24 million affected by South Asia floods – Red Cross

GENEVA — More than 24 million people have been affected by some of the worst flooding to hit South Asia in decades, with large areas of land submerged in water, the Red Cross says.

Authorities in Bangladesh, India and Nepal put the death toll at more than 750 since August 10, when a series of deluges began spreading with the annual monsoon season.

“The situation is going from bad to worse,” Red Cross under secretary-general Jagan Chapagain says in a statement. “Almost one third of Nepal has been flooded. One third of Bangladesh is flooded,” he tells reporters.

“This is the worst flooding that parts of South Asia have seen in decades.”

Flood waters in the three countries have left hundreds of people stranded and entire communities cut off from road access, according to the Red Cross. Many villages are now only accessible by boat and “are running out of food” with clean water also in short supply, the organization adds.

— AFP