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108 dead in Bangladesh flash floods

Bangladeshi troops clear debris in search for survivors and bodies in Chittagong, June 27,2012. -

The death toll from a series of deadly flash floods and landslides in southeast Bangladesh has risen to 108.

The region's chief administrator, Sirajul Haq Khan, says the victims bodies were pulled from the mud and debris of destroyed homes in the districts of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Bandarban.

Mr Khan says the rescue operation has been called off as nobody else has been reported missing.

He says the flood waters have finally receded.

The landslides were triggered by three days of monsoon rains.

More than 60,000 people have been displaced.

Rain-triggered landslides are common in Chittagong and the government has sought to tighten rules restricting development in danger areas.

Meanwhile, heavy rain has swamped large areas of neighbouring north eastern India, killing at least 27 people.

Almost one million others have been displaced since flash flooding began in the area last weekend.

Most of the people who have fled their homes are being forced to live on raised platforms or under tarpaulin tents.

A government spokesman says 1500 temporary shelters have been set up in the state of Assam to accommodate those who have lost their homes.


2012

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