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500 Dead in Bangladesh Floods

Nearly 500 dead, thousands ill as waters recede

Posted Aug 15, 2007 12:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Nearly 500 people have died in Bangladesh as devastating floods hit the low-lying country in recent weeks, Reuters reports. 38 died last night, including two from water-borne diseases that have sickened thousands more. Flood waters have receded, but millions remain homeless. "They hardly have a roof on their heads or anything to eat," an official said.

More than 53,000 people have contracted diarrhea from eating stale food and drinking unclean water, leaving the country's government scrambling to keep pace. A center in Dhaka, the capital, to treat diarrhea diseases admitted a record number of patients yesterday, one official said. "The overall diarrhea situation is grim. We are trying to cope with it."

Villagers walk past flood-damaged homes at Bashi village, in Begusarai district, in the northern Indian state of Bihar, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. Devastating monsoon floods have laid waste to much of South... (Associated Press)

Villagers are seen on a boat at the flood affected Bariyarpur village, at Begusarai district, in the northern Indian state of Bihar, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. Devastating monsoon floods have laid waste... (Associated Press)

A rescue team searches an area hit by flash floods in Rampur, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. A flash flood caused by heavy rains swept through the Himalayan... (Associated Press)

An elderly flood victim rests on a makeshift cot at a relief camp in Cheria Bariyarpur village, at Begusarai district, in the northern Indian state of Bihar, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007. Devastating monsoon... (Associated Press)

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500 Dead in Bangladesh Floods

Nearly 500 dead, thousands ill as waters recede

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Boats used for rescue as 4-foot-deep, frigid water gushes around cars in Md. suburb

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500 Dead in Bangladesh Floods

Nearly 500 dead, thousands ill as waters recede

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

water • disease • flood • homeless • illness • Bangladesh • water borne illness

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Disease Fears Shadow Flood Victims

Relief workers struggle to supply food, medicine to waterlogged South Asia

As Flood Toll Hits 25, Chavez Opens Palace to Refugees

State of emergency has left 5K homeless

Vagrants Find 'Home' in Tunnels Under Vegas Casinos

Tunnel dwellers trade danger of drowning for a little comfort

Huge Pipe Break Traps DC-Area Drivers

Boats used for rescue as 4-foot-deep, frigid water gushes around cars in Md. suburb

10K in Zimbabwe Hit by Cholera: UN

Oppositions puts number higher

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?