[🇧🇩] Smart Flood Management for Bangladesh

[Saif]

Floods upend lives of thousands

The extent of devastation from the floods is becoming visible as the waters are receding.

www.thedailystar.net

Floods upend lives of thousands
Extent of damage getting clear as water starts receding in many areas

Standing in floodwaters, Hosne Ara Begum, 60, hangs wet clothes out to dry in Gopal union under Feni’s Chhagalnaiya upazila. Just like many of her neighbours, she returned home yesterday after a week as the flood water was receding. Photo: Rajib Raihan

The extent of the devastation from the floods is becoming visible as the waters are receding.

Thousands of homes have been washed away and many small businesses are destroyed.

Mohammad Mostafa, 66, a resident of Chhagalnaiya, Feni, said his paddy field on two and a half acres and stored rice were ruined.

"I have my three cows with me on the street. They are hungry too. I'm borrowing money to buy fodder for the cows."— Abul Kalam, a farmer in Lakshmipur
"I don't know what we will eat when the relief effort stops," he said.

In Chhagalnaiya, hundreds of locals were running after trucks carrying relief materials yesterday.

Officials said around 80 percent of the upazila was inundated.

Due to heavy rain, the level of water increased in eight upazilas of Noakhali yesterday, reports our correspondent there.

In Lakshmipur, officials said 90 percent of the district was still flooded and over 8 lakh people were marooned.

Families, including the elderly, women and children, have been living on the sides of roads in the district.

Abul Kalam, a 62-year-old farmer of Char Kelakopa area, said he had been sleeping on a plastic sheet under the open sky for a week. There was three-feet-deep water in his hut.

"Never in my life have I seen a flood lasting this long," he said.

Around 200 others were seen in similar conditions in the area.

"I have my three cows with me. They are hungry too. We are surviving on people's handouts," he said.

In Cumilla, the level of floodwater is falling along the Gumti river.

Abdul Latif, superintendent engineer at Cumilla East Water Development Board, said the river is flowing 22cm below the danger level. But as the embankment is broken, villages are still getting flooded in Burichang and Brahmmanpara upazilas.

The disaster management ministry announced that the flood situation will improve soon.

Water levels in all rivers are falling, and heavy rain is not likely, Additional Secretary KM Ali Reza told a press briefing.

Over 58 lakh people in 11 districts were affected by the floods. The disaster has so far claimed 31 lives.

Twelve people drowned in Cumilla, six in Noakhali, two in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Cox's Bazar, and one each in Khagrachhari, Brahmanbaria, and Lakshmipur. Two people remain missing in Moulvibazar.

The government has opened 4,003 shelters, providing refuge to over 5.4 lakh people.​

 

[Saif]

Post-flood recovery will be challenging

Flood leaves victims with a whole new set of problems

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Post-flood recovery will be challenging
Flood leaves victims with a whole new set of problems

VISUAL: STAR

As floodwaters slowly begin to recede, a grim reality is emerging across the 73 upazilas of 11 districts that have been affected over the last 10 days or so. The flood has left behind a vast trail of destruction—broken homes, crumbling roads, collapsed bridges, toppled electric poles, public facilities lying in ruins. The scars of the disaster are evident everywhere. Many have returned to their homes, or what's left of them, while others, whose villages are still under water, remain in the shelters. An uncertain future awaits them all. The thought of rebuilding their lives from the ground up can be daunting, yet this is what they must prepare for.

According to an estimate, at least 52 people have died in the flood. The human toll, tragic as it is, is just one component of the widespread devastation caused by it as survivors now must focus on the painful process of recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction, with little help guaranteed. Many have lost their homes, livestock, and other belongings, and will need financial and institutional support to get back on their feet. A big part of the recovery also involves regaining livelihoods, especially for farmers, fishers, and other small earners. The government and private donors must ensure steady provision of not just food and clothes but also cash support, at least until some recovery is achieved. Another focus area is their health needs. Many in flood-affected areas are suffering from waterborne diseases including diarrhoea, skin infections, cold-fever, etc. So, ensuring adequate medical care is vital.

Unfortunately, this is proving to be difficult because of the flooding of many health facilities, including the 250-bed Feni General Hospital, that left them severely compromised. The ministry of disaster management and relief has reportedly deployed 619 medical teams across 11 districts. But ensuring the full resumption of local health complexes is crucial for uninterrupted care. There are many other areas of rebuilding and reconstruction that the government also needs to focus on urgently. While we are yet to know the full extent of the damage caused by the flood, initial estimates are quite alarming: 6,542 kilometres of roads damaged, and 1,066 bridges and culverts ruined. Highways in affected regions are in no better shape. Many utility structures have been destroyed. There has been widespread littering, with piles of garbage seen in many areas.

All these issues will require prompt and proper interventions. We are told that rescue and relief activities have been hampered because of coordination problems, despite an overwhelming response from people to support flood-hit communities. This has been exacerbated by the ongoing administrative chaos caused by transfers and other issues. The absence of upazila chairmen and other public representatives is also causing problems and will likely continue to do so for some more time. This is all the more reason why the government must double down on ongoing efforts, ensuring full cooperation of all relevant state agencies and officials, so that flood-affected communities have an easier go of it going forward. It must repair and resume all public facilities without delay, and must help the affected in every way it can.​

 

[Saif]

Flood: Death toll climbs to 52, over 5.4 million people affected

The death toll from the recent flood in 11 districts has climbed to 52 with 21 more deaths reported in Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali and Moulvibazar districts till Thursday, according to the report of Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.

en.prothomalo.com

Flood: Death toll climbs to 52, over 5.4 million people affected
UNBDhaka
Published: 29 Aug 2024, 16: 16

File Photo UNB file photo

The death toll from the recent flood in 11 districts has climbed to 52 with 21 more deaths reported in Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali and Moulvibazar districts till Thursday, according to the report of Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.

Among the deceased, 14 people died in Cumilla, six in Chattogram, 17 in Feni, eight in Noakhali, three in Cox’s Bazar and one each in Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar and Lakshmipur districts respectively.

Besides, a total of 1,072,579 families have been stranded in 68 upazilas of 11 flood-hit districts--Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur and Cox’s Bazar.

Moreover, as many as 5,480,463 people have been affected in 492 municipalities or unions of the 11 districts. One people still remain missing in Moulvibazar district.

Meanwhile, at least 502,501 people have taken shelter in 3,403 shelter centres while 36,448 domestic animals were kept there, according to data from the ministry. A total of 595 medical teams are providing medical services in the flood affected areas.

So far, a sum of Tk 45.2 million (Tk 4.52 crore) has been allocated in the flood-stricken districts while 20,650 tonnes of rice, 15,000 pieces of dry foods or other foods and baby foods and fodder worth Tk 3.5 million (Tk 35 lakh) each were allocated, said the ministry.​

 

[Saif]

As floodwater recedes, diseases spread

Hospitals in Feni and Noakhali are struggling to tackle a wave of patients with floodwater receding and water-borne diseases spreading in the affected areas while the death toll from the disaster has increased to 59.

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As floodwater recedes, diseases spread
Hospitals in Feni, Noakhali struggling to cope with flow of patients; flood death toll now 59

Sitting on a makeshift platform in front of her home, Hosne Ara cooks on a clay stove yesterday as her home is flooded in Shakchile village of Cumilla’s Monoharganj upazila. Although floodwaters have started receding in the upazila, residents in the low-laying areas are still in difficulties. Photo: Nahid Mazhar

Hospitals in Feni and Noakhali are struggling to tackle a wave of patients with floodwater receding and water-borne diseases spreading in the affected areas while the death toll from the disaster has increased to 59.

In Feni's Sonagazi Upazila Health Complex, patients were lying on the floor, balcony and staircases on Friday afternoon. The number of patients at the 50-bed government facility increased to 96 by evening.

Chhagalnaiya Upazila Health Complex, which has the same number of beds, had 126 patients on Saturday morning.

Nusrat Jahan, an 11-year-old girl from Matiganj village, had been receiving treatment at the Sonagazi Upazila Health Complex since Wednesday night.

"We took shelter in a neighbour's house as the water entered my home," her mother Laila Akhtar said.

"As there was no clean water there, the girl drank the water stored in the tank. Since then, she has been vomiting and suffering from diarrhoea," said Laila.

"The hospital was full of patients when we came here. A ward-boy managed a place with a mattress on the floor for her."

Among the patients admitted to the health complex, 80 percent from the flood-hit areas caught water-borne diseases, said Medical Officer Dr Arnab Mallick.

In Naokhali, diarrhoea is spreading rapidly among the flood-hit people.

Noakhali General Hospital's Diarrhea Ward, which can accommodate only 16 people, was treating 280 patients yesterday evening.

"We were compelled to drink floodwater as our house and tubewell were submerged for around three weeks. Now my child is suffering from diarrhoea," said Sajeda Akhter Noor of Babunagar villager in the district's Begumganj Upazila. Her four-month-old baby had been receiving treatment at the hospital since Thursday, she told The Daily Star yesterday.

Many patients alleged mismanagement at the hospital.

"I was admitted to the hospital on Friday morning. But no doctor came to visit me until now," Ayesha Akhter, 25, of Herangirpole area under Noakhali Sadar Upazila, told this newspaper on Friday evening.

The hospital's Registrar Md Emran Hossain, however, denied the allegation and said a doctor served the patients throughout the day on Friday.

As many as 519 medical teams were working in the 11 flood-hit districts, according to the disaster management and relief ministry.

The ministry said yesterday that the death toll from the floods increased by five to 59, including six women and 12 children, in nine districts while the number of people affected by the flooding in 11 districts was over 54.57 lakh.

Of the deceased, 23 people died in Feni, 14 in Cumilla, nine in Noakhlai, six in Chattogram, three in Cox's Bazar, and one each in Moulvibazar, Lakshmipur, Brahmanbaria and Khagrachhari, according to the ministry's report.

Around 7 lakh people were still marooned, the report said.

The government's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre yesterday forecast that all the major rivers of the country were flowing below the danger level.

Unicef on Friday said over 20 lakh children in eastern Bangladesh were at risk as floods swept through homes, schools and villages.

[Our correspondents from Chattogram and Noakhali contributed to the report]​

 

[Saif]

India terms CNN report on Bangladesh flood as ‘misleading’

India has said that they have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh, and its narrative is ‘misleading’ and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods...

www.newagebd.net

India terms CNN report on Bangladesh flood as ‘misleading’
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 31 August, 2024, 10:51

| File photo

India has said that they have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh, and its narrative is ‘misleading’ and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods.

‘It is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the government of India clarifying the situation. They also have ignored that we have regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management,’ said official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question.

During a regular media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Jaiswal said that there were established procedures between India and Bangladesh for several years now.

The two countries have 54 rivers that they share, and this mechanism and institutional mechanisms that they have been in existence for quite some time.

‘As part of the established procedure, we have been exchanging data on a timely and regular basis with Bangladesh,’ said the spokesperson.

On the question of flood in eastern Bangladesh and floods in Tripura, he said, they had released two press releases, giving the factual position as to why they have happened.

Flooding in eastern Tripura and eastern Bangladesh happened essentially because of incessant and excessive rain.

‘And thereafter, we have explained in the two press releases exactly what the situation was. So, these mechanisms to help both countries deal with flood issues and water management issues are there,’ Jaiswal said.

He said if there were any new mechanisms that can help further in controlling or helping the sufferings of the people or helping deal with its natural disasters, this is a matter that they can take forward with Bangladesh.

On the issue of visa, the spokesperson said that they were issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes.

‘Once the situation becomes normal, law and order is restored, and then they will begin their full-fledged operations of visa,’ he said.

Jaiswal said that their high commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma had an introductory meeting with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, where he discussed several aspects of their relationship.

He also talked about how India would like to continue to work with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of people of both countries for prosperity, security, and development.

High commissioner Verma had conveyed that their commitment to taking forward the relationship in accordance with their respective national priorities.

‘He stressed on this fact. They also discussed other issues, including the safety of Hindus and minorities there,’ Jaiswal said.

The high commissioner also informed chief adviser that the flooding in eastern Bangladesh was caused due to excessive rain.

‘There are other aspects that you have highlighted. We have taken note of that, and hopefully, we will have more engagement on such issues later,’ Jaiswal said.

Responding to a question, the MEA spokesperson said that they had stated earlier that former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina came to India at a very short notice for safety reasons. ‘We have nothing further to add on that matter.’

Jaiswal said that because of the turmoil in Bangladesh, their projects had been impacted. ‘Let me tell you that our development cooperation activities with Bangladesh are aimed at the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.’

‘You would have seen that the prime minister in his independence day speech as well had stated that India will always be a well-wisher of Bangladesh in its development journey,’ he added.

Jaiswal said that the work on some of the projects had stalled and had been affected because of the law and order situation I Bangladesh.

‘Once the situation stabilises, normalcy is restored, then we will talk to, we will engage in consultations with the interim government about our development initiatives and then see how best to take those forward and what sort of understanding we can reach on them,’ Jaiswal said.

On security issue, he said that security during the turmoil was a problem not just for them but for everybody. ‘You saw what happened to the Indian Cultural Centre. It was in the news all over.’

Jaiswal said the Bangladesh authorities tried their best for the security. ‘Hopefully normalcy returns soon that we can begin our engagement in the right earnest.’

India’s development projects in Bangladesh have been temporarily halted due to the current situation as many people working on various development projects there had to return.

‘Due to several reasons, these projects have been paused. Once the situation improves and law and order are restored, we will discuss with their government how to proceed further,’ Jaiswal said.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh to request upstream countries to get flood forecasting data timely: Rizwana

Bangladesh will request upstream countries like China, India, Nepal and Bhutan to provide flood forecasting data in time to mitigate the sufferings of people caused by the natural disaster, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Water Resources Ministry in Dhaka on Saturday. In this connection,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh to request upstream countries to get flood forecasting data timely: Rizwana
Published :
Aug 31, 2024 20:00
Updated :
Aug 31, 2024 20:00

Bangladesh will request upstream countries like China, India, Nepal and Bhutan to provide flood forecasting data in time to mitigate the sufferings of people caused by the natural disaster, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Water Resources Ministry in Dhaka on Saturday.

In this connection, she said the present interim government will continue regular engagements with these countries to this end, BSS reports.

"Efforts will also be taken to provide timely flood forecasts to the people in simple language," the adviser said while presiding over a review meeting of the activities of different departments under the Ministry of Water Resources at the conference room of “Pani Bhaban” in the capital.

She said public hearings would be conducted in Feni and Cumilla, the areas recently severely affected by floods, to this end and future actions will be taken on the basis of public feedback.

She, however, said that all barriers to ensure the natural flow of rivers must be removed. To this end, she directed the relevant authorities to take action against all illegal encroachments, including fisheries enclosures in the Feni River.

Laying emphasis on preventing crop damage in the Haor regions due to damage to embankments, the adviser said that approval from the Department of Environment, Department of Haor and Wetlands Development must be obtained before constructing any infrastructure in the Haor areas.

In addition, Rizwana said all pumps under the Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project must be activated and the extraction of groundwater in the project area must be stopped.

The meeting was attended by Nazmul Ahsan, Secretary to the Ministry of Water Resources and heads of different departments, among others.

The meeting also discussed the activities of the Joint River Commission (JRC), the flood control forecasting system of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the progress of activities in Haor areas and the rehabilitation project under the Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project.

The adviser stressed the importance of proper implementation of these projects for the greater national interest.​

 

[Saif]

Monsoon rains: Short-term flood may hit parts of country in Sept

At a time when the country is still recovering from last month’s devastating floods, the Met office has issued a warning about potential short-term flooding in certain northern, northeastern, and southeastern areas due to heavy monsoon rains this month.

www.thedailystar.net

Monsoon rains: Short-term flood may hit parts of country in Sept
Death toll climbs to 67; Feni hospital struggling

Photo: Rajib Raihan

At a time when the country is still recovering from last month's devastating floods, the Met office has issued a warning about potential short-term flooding in certain northern, northeastern, and southeastern areas due to heavy monsoon rains this month.

However, the overall rainfall in the country is expected to remain at typical levels in September, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

"One or two low-pressure systems may form over the Bay of Bengal, with the potential for one to develop into a monsoon depression."

September rainfall predictions indicate that Sylhet division may experience 365-450mm of rain, Chattogram 285-350mm, Rangpur 375-460mm, and Rajshahi 285-345mm. Other regions, including Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, and Mymensingh, are expected to receive between 250mm and 385mm of rainfall.

The forecast was made during yesterday's BMD's expert committee meeting on long-term weather predictions.

In August, Bangladesh experienced 46.2 percent more rainfall than usual. The national average rainfall in August is 612mm over 22 days.

The highest rainfall in the last 24 hours was recorded at 276 mm in the Maijdee Court area, Noakhali.

FLOOD DEATH TOLL RISES

A total of 67 people, including seven women and 18 children, died in the recent floods in nine districts till yesterday, the disaster management and relief ministry said in its latest release.

Of them, 26 people died in Feni, 17 in Cumilla, 11 in Noakhali, six in Chattogram, three in Cox's Bazar, and one each in Moulvibazar, Lakshmipur, Brahmanbaria, and Khagrachhari.

Besides, one person in Moulvibazar remains missing.

The situation in Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Habiganj, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, and Cox's Bazar districts is normal while the overall flood situation in Moulvibazar has improved.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in Feni, Comilla, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur districts is improving.

FENI HOSPITAL AT OVERCAPACITY

The Feni District Sadar Hospital is struggling to cope with a sharp rise in patients admitted with waterborne diseases.

The 18-bed diarrhoea ward is currently at overcapacity, and as a result, patients are being treated on the hospital premises and even on the floors of the administration building, reports our correspondent.

According to hospital data, 210 patients were admitted to the ward as of last morning, far exceeding its capacity.

During a visit to the hospital, this correspondent observed staffers treating patients on the open field in front of the diarrhoea ward.

Nasima Akhtar, a resident of Feni's Lalpol area, had been at the hospital with her two-year-old daughter, Rabeya Sultana, since Saturday morning.

Due to the lack of available beds, her daughter was treated on the field.

"When I arrived, the ward was already full of patients. I had to find a mattress and settle on the field to get my daughter treated," she said.

To handle the influx of patients, many of whom came from flood-affected areas, the hospital authorities converted the sixth floor of a new building into a temporary diarrhoea ward.​

 

[Saif]

India reaffirms cooperation on flood forecasting

Indian envoy Pranay Verma assures on border security as he meets home affairs adviser

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India reaffirms cooperation on flood forecasting
Indian envoy Pranay Verma assures on border security as he meets home affairs adviser

Photo: Collected

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma has reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting Bangladesh on flood forecasting and security issues.

During a courtesy meeting with the Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat today, Verma also announced that Indian visa centres are now issuing a limited number of visas for Bangladeshi nationals, primarily for emergency medical needs and students pursuing studies abroad.
.
The meeting addressed a range of bilateral issues, including police reforms, border security, and the safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh. Both sides agreed on the importance of reducing border killings to a minimum or zero by enhancing border security measures.

The adviser said, "Our two countries should work together on flood warning and forecasting."

In response, Verma assured Bangladesh of India's assistance with necessary data and information for flood warning and forecasting.

Jahangir Alam emphasised the need for the two countries to work closely on this issue.

The adviser also assured the high commissioner that Indian nationals residing in Bangladesh would be provided full security. He added that Indian students are welcome to continue their studies in Bangladesh.

The meeting was attended by Deputy High Commissioner Pawankumar Tulshidas Bade, First Secretary (Political) Gokul V K, and senior officials from Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs.​