More than 16 million people affected by flooding in southern Asia

International aid officials say more than 16 million people have now been affected by seasonal flooding across a broad section of southern Asia.

It’s believed that the flooding in Nepal, Bangladesh and India have claimed close to 500 lives and are expected to worsen.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says the situation is becoming one of the worst regional humanitarian crises in years.

There are growing concerns about food shortages and diseases.

Deputy regional director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Martin Faller says more than a third of Bangladesh and Nepal were flooded.

Faller says about 11 million people across four northern Indian states have been impacted by the floods.