Devastating floods kill at least 59 and leave millions stranded in Bangladesh and India

At least 59 people have died and millions of others are left stranded by widespread flooding across parts of Bangladesh and north-eastern India.

The monsoon storms triggered lightning strikes and landslides, while swollen rivers burst their banks, submerging homes under the floodwaters – and with many transport links cut off, the army has been drafted in to help rescue those who are still trapped.

Officials in the worst hit areas described the situation as “grim”.

Ayshah Tull spoke to Syeda Rizwana Hasan who heads the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association.