Dhaka/Guwahati (ANTARA) – Monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding in Bangladesh and India, authorities said on Saturday.

Nearly 6 million people in the two countries have been displaced by the disaster and authorities have warned the situation could worsen.

At least 15 people have died in Bangladesh after being struck by lightning since Friday, and four more died in landslides, police said.

A Bangladeshi government expert has called the current floods the worst since 2004.

The floods were exacerbated by heavy rain runoff along the Indian mountains.

Rain was still falling on Saturday and is expected to last for the next two days.

“Most of the northeast region of the country is under water and the situation is getting worse as heavy rains continue to fall,” said Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, chief administrator of Sylhet region, Bangladesh. .

Seasonal monsoon rains are not only a mainstay for farmers in South Asia, but can also wreak havoc and damage every year.

Bangladesh and India have experienced extreme weather conditions in recent years, causing widespread damage.

Environmental experts warn that climate change could trigger more disasters, especially in low-lying, densely populated areas like Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s worst-hit Sunamganj district is almost cut off from the rest of the country, Hossain said.

He added that the authorities, aided by the army, were concentrating on rescuing isolated victims and sending help.

“There is a shortage of boats so it is difficult to evacuate people to safer places,” he said. “Today the Navy will join the rescue effort.”