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Thousands stranded by Indian floods

01/09/2008

Half a million people remain stranded as a result of the devastating floods in a northern India.

Pressure is being placed on the Indian government to do more for those stuck in the state of Bihar.

At least 75 people are reported to have died after the Kosi river broke its banks last week and 1.2 million are currently homeless.

The flood waters are reported to be spreading to new areas with some villages being swept away by the strong currents.

Local hospitals are said to be a breaking point and emergency services are struggling to reach flood victims.

Mukesh Puri, a Unicef emergency specialist, said that there was now a serious risk of disease in the region and that it would a long time until the water totally recedes.

"There is overcrowding in the shelters, so we need to go in and to vaccinate quickly," he said.

"The water may not recede for three months."

Last week, India's prime minister Manmohan Singh described the widespread flooding a "national calamity" while pledging $250 million (£125.8 million) worth of aid to the region.

Angry scenes have been witnessed across northern India with a number people reported to have been killed during frantic scrambles for food and aid.