At least 80,000 people were stranded in northern Bangladesh after floods triggered by heavy rains swamped dozens of villages, officials said Wednesday. Rivers burst their embankments after a fourth day of downpours in Dinajpur district, 272 kilometers (170 miles) north of the capital Dhaka, marooning at least 50,000 villagers, said relief official Siddiq Hossain. "We are trying to assess the extent of damage but there's nothing to be worried about, as the situation will improve automatically after the rain stops," Hossain said. Meanwhile, in neighboring Nilphamari district, 288 kilometers (180 miles) north of Dhaka, at least 30,000 people were marooned, said chief government administrator Rabindranath Roy. Roads were washed away limiting travel and many rice crops have been destroyed, officials said. Floods are common in this South Asian delta nation of 140 million people. Fifteen people have died during this year's monsoon season, the Associated Press reported.
