[🇧🇩] Smart Flood Management for Bangladesh

[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.​

 

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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.​

 

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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.​

 

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India reaffirms cooperation on flood forecasting

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

www.thedailystar.net

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.
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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.​

 

[Saif]

Govt must attend to emerging health crisis in flood-hit districts

THE suffering of people from diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases in the flood-hit districts suggests that the government is not prepared to tackle the post-disaster health crisis. As flood water has begun to recede in Noakhali and Feni, two of the worst-affected areas, the district hospitals...

www.newagebd.net

Govt must attend to emerging health crisis in flood-hit districts
03 September, 2024, 00:00

THE suffering of people from diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases in the flood-hit districts suggests that the government is not prepared to tackle the post-disaster health crisis. As flood water has begun to recede in Noakhali and Feni, two of the worst-affected areas, the district hospitals and other health facilities are struggling to attend diarrhoea patients. In Feni, a total of 122 diarrhoea patients, 90 per cent of them children, were admitted to different upazila hospitals on September 1. In addition to diarrhoea, a high number of snake bite cases are also reported. At the Noakhali General Hospital, 116 diarrhoea patients and 18 patients with snake bites were admitted on August 31. Lack of access to safe water is primarily responsible for the evolving health crisis, as half of the tube wells are damaged due to the flood. The damage to the roads has added to their suffering as nurses and patients struggle to reach health facilities. Elderly people also suffered injuries when trying to reach a shelter during the early days of the flood. In Cumilla Medical College Hospital, at least 11 patients with fractured bones and other injuries were passing days in agony with no about the whereabouts of their relatives. The prevailing health crisis in the flood-hit districts yet again points to flawed disaster response programmes that are exclusively focused on rescue, shelter and food aid.

In a media release on September 1, the disaster management ministry said over 7,05,052 people are still marooned and an additional five million are directly affected by the flood in 11 districts across the country. Flood-affected people stranded in remote localities still desperately wait for relief and medical support amid a situation of complete breakdown of the communications system. The government has been providing flood shelter and relief, but compared with the scale of devastation and magnitude of public suffering, the government relief effort so far is scanty and visibly insignificant. As the government is yet to arrange additional medical staff to attend the overflowing patients with diarrhoea in flood-hit areas, citizens are organising health camps to provide health support to the flood victims, but they are doing so without institutional support. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, all rivers of the country were flowing below the danger level, and the flood situation is likely to improve. In what follows, the government needs to attend to socio-economic impacts of flood.

It is high time the government took a comprehensive flood relief programme and addressed the emerging health crisis; if necessary, organised health camps or provided additional medical staff to attend to the flow of patients in the affected areas. In addition to the immediate humanitarian crisis, the government must announce a long-term relief programme with the provision of free seed, fertiliser and food so that people could focus on rebuilding. It should also consider strengthening institutional frameworks to ensure better agency coordination and invest in weather forecast systems, especially for rapid-onset disasters such as flash floods.​