Flooding in Bangladesh has caused widespread devastation, displacing tens of thousands of people and prompting urgent relief efforts, the disaster and relief ministry reported on Tuesday.
More heavy rain in the forecast is expected to exacerbate the situation.
According to the ministry, approximately 40,000 people have sought refuge in government shelters, and over 600 medical teams are deployed to assist flood victims.
Television footage has shown submerged roads, damaged bridges and dams, and villagers navigating through knee-deep water. Farmers have been rescuing livestock from the rising waters.
Liakath Ali from development agency BRAC highlighted the severity of the flooding: “Bangladeshis are accustomed to flooding, but the rapid rise of water in low-lying areas is forcing people to take shelter on makeshift rafts made from banana trees.”
The local meteorological office predicts more rainfall for central and southern regions, although the Brahmaputra river’s water levels are expected to decrease soon.
However, officials remain cautious due to heavy rains upstream in India affecting the situation downstream in Bangladesh.
Rezwanul Rahman, head of Bangladesh’s disaster management department, emphasized ongoing efforts to manage the crisis amid the monsoon season’s challenges: “Heavy rains upstream in India mean that the situation remains critical.
We are implementing measures to cope with this ongoing challenge.”
Meanwhile, in India’s Assam state, where floods have also been severe, authorities report that floodwaters are beginning to recede, providing some relief to the thousands sheltering in camps.
However, recent rains have led to additional fatalities and disruptions, bringing the total death toll in Assam to 72 since May, with over 2 million people affected.
In urban areas, heavy rainfall in Delhi and its suburbs caused traffic disruptions, while Mumbai experienced flooded roads and railway lines, leading to flight cancellations and school closures.
The situation remains fluid as both countries brace for further impacts from the monsoon rains, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by seasonal flooding in the region.
Source-Reuters
