Imagine if your town or village was engulfed by water and you had to leave your home and all your possessions behind.

This is what has happened to eight-year-old Razia, who comes from Bihar state, in north India. Extremely heavy rainfall hit Bihar at the end of August 2008, causing the River Kosi to burst its banks.

Razia (left) and her family - along with three other families - fled the rising waters, leaving everything they owned. They managed to escape by travelling through flood water for more than five hours!

The four families sheltered in another village and from there they took a bus to the city of Patna. They plan to go to Delhi (India's capital city) where they have distant relatives.

Razia was very scared when the flood hit. 'Slowly the water level came up to my shoulder,' she says. 'There was no food at home; it was all dark; we could not sleep for the whole night fearing the water would take us away.'

Even though she's safe now, her experience has had a big impact. 'I will never forget this,' she says. 'Whenever I drink water I will remember what water has done to us.'