In pictures: Bengali flood victims

More than 250 people have been killed and about 15 million affected by flash floods in the eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Bihar. Large areas are submerged and the army is carrying out rescue and relief operations.

Children in Guskara, 200km north of Calcutta, wait for grain

Dozens cling to a truck leaving Guskara. Thousands of families have been marooned in remote parts of West Bengal

Relatives try to get a body to dry land for cremation in Panchantola

A boat makes its way through the flooded streets of Panchantola

The village of Kalinagar was swept away - people there wait for help

Houses are under water in Bakhtiarghat, 125 km north of Calcutta

Residents of Maheshpur struggle to reach higher ground

Villagers in Shantipur leave with their belongings