The death toll in floods that have devastated Bangladesh has risen to more than 700, the official news agency BSS said on Tuesday as the United Nations prepared to launch an appeal for post-flood rehabilitation projects.
The flooding had claimed 703 lives, including 64 deaths from severe diarrhoea, BSS said, adding that flood waters across the country are continuing to recede.
An international appeal by the UN will be launched on Thursday, a spokesperson said.
The flooding, which at its height submerged two-thirds of the country and affected about 33-million people out of a population of 140-million, has left thousands in urgent need of food, clean water and medicine.
The government has put the cost of damage to property and infrastructure at $6,6-billion.
The floods are the worst since 1998 when more than 700 people died and 21-million were left homeless. — Sapa-AFP