India's swollen 'river of sorrow' affects 2 million
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Rising rivers in eastern India that swamped more land and homes overnight have affected more than 2 million people, some of whom vented their anger by attacking officials trying to assess the damage.
Since the monsoon began in June, torrential rains have killed more than 1,000 people in south Asia, mainly in India's states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh but also Nepal and Bangladesh.
The Koshi River in the eastern state of Bihar, one of India's poorest regions, has broken its mud embankments in several places.
The river also broke a dam in neighbouring Nepal, sweeping away seven villages, officials said.
The death toll in Bihar rose to 46 overnight after 14 more villagers drowned in swirling waters, officials said.
"Many villagers are still trapped and stranded at various places and our challenge is to save their lives," government official Nitish Mishra said.
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) says cases of diarrhoea and fever are being reported in makeshift camps.
"Given the scorching heat, unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene conditions, cases may soon increase," a UNICEF statement said.
Local people call the Koshi the "Sorrow of Bihar" for its regular floods and ability to quickly change course.
"The Koshi River has changed its course and nearly 2-2.5 million people of the areas have been affected," Bihar State chief minister Nitish Kumar said after an aerial survey of the flood situation.
Indian authorities warned of more rain in eastern India, including Bihar, with heavy falls in the next four to five days.
- Reuters
