US spring floods wreak havoc

North Dakota in the United States has been declared a federal disaster area by US President Barack Obama because of record spring flooding across the mid-Western state.



Floodwaters from the Red River, which is expected to peak later this week, have led to the closure of roads and bridges.



National guardsmen and volunteers are reinforcing flood defences.



The rising waters are also affecting the neighbouring state of Minnesota which, like North Dakota, borders the Red River on its route towards Canada.