Bongaon itself has become a makeshift relief camp for villagers fleeing from the rising waters. It is also the emergency headquarters for the local officials struggling to cope with the crisis and for the Indian army who have been called in to help. Soldiers are now trying to reach outlying villages by boat to take food and drinking water to families who have been living on rooftops for several days. Some people told us they had spent seven days clinging to trees before being rescued. Disease fears Food and water are in short supply.
Illness is also a main concern.
One senior army officer said he was receiving reports of a growing number of cases of fever and dysentery. Tens of thousands of people from the area have fled in the past two days, walking or pushing handcarts through about 6km of waist-deep water to reach dry land. But there is little support there either. Many are now living in makeshift shelters along the roadside. Some religious and community groups have been handing out food but it is not enough to meet the need.