Millions of homes flooded, transport links cut in Bangladesh

The flood situation in Bangladesh continued to be grim, with millions of homes underwater and transport links severed.

The country has about 130 rivers and water levels in all major rivers were rising.  In northeastern Sylhet, on the banks of the Surma River, thousands have been seeking shelter in temporary relief centres as flooding from swollen rivers has caused extensive damage to fields and property.

More than a dozen people died across the country since the monsoon began last week. The government called in soldiers to help evacuate people. Bangladesh, a nation of 160 million people, is low-lying and faces threats from natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, made worse by climate change.