The most destructive monsoon in many years has flooded vast areas of northeastern India, Bangladesh and Nepal, leaving more than five million people homeless. In Assam state alone some two million people have lost their homes, power lines and railways have been swept away, roads have been swamped, and dozens of small dams have been destroyed. More rain is forecast and all of the main rivers in Assam may overflow, including the Brahmaputra. In Nepal, some 24 people have been killed, many from snake bites as floods have driven snakes into people’s homes. Travel in low-lying areas of these countries should be avoided at this time.
