20 Dead, 5 Million Affected as Severe Floods Devastate Bangladesh

Photo : Reuters

Dhaka: Bangladesh is grappling with severe flooding that has resulted in at least 20 fatalities and affected more than 5.2 million people. The disaster, caused by relentless monsoon rains and overflowing rivers, has left many areas submerged and residents in dire need of essential supplies.

The floods have isolated numerous communities, particularly in remote regions where blocked roads have significantly hampered rescue and relief efforts. Residents are urgently in need of food, clean water, medicine, and dry clothing. The situation is especially critical in the most isolated areas, where access to aid has been limited.

Government Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, who is leading the interim government following the recent departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, addressed the nation on television. Yunus assured that the administration is taking all necessary measures to restore normalcy for the flood victims. He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a swift recovery for those affected by the floods.

In a poignant account, Abdul Halim, a 65-year-old farmer from Comilla district, described how his mud hut was destroyed by a 10-foot surge of floodwater that swept through his village in the dead of night. "There are no goods and no water. Barely anyone has come with the relief (aid) deep inside the villages. You have to physically go close to the main road to collect it," Halim told Reuters.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel

Some residents have alleged that the floods were exacerbated by the opening of dam sluice gates in neighboring India. However, New Delhi has rejected these claims. Yunus has indicated that discussions with neighboring countries are underway to address and prevent future flood situations.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that the flood conditions could persist if monsoon rains continue, as water levels are receding very slowly. The ongoing rainfall has further complicated efforts to manage and mitigate the flooding.

In response to the crisis, more than 400,000 people have sought refuge in approximately 3,500 shelters across the 11 flood-affected districts. The government has mobilized nearly 750 medical teams to provide treatment, and the army, air force, navy, and Border Guard Bangladesh have been actively involved in rescue operations.

A 2015 analysis by the World Bank Institute had projected that around 3.5 million people in Bangladesh, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, were at risk of annual river flooding. The exacerbation of such catastrophic events has been attributed to climate change, which continues to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, remarked on the widespread and devastating impact of this year's monsoon rains. "Entire communities have been completely inundated, and there are now millions of people, including children, in need of safe shelter and lifesaving humanitarian assistance," Bose said.

The international community, including humanitarian organizations and neighboring countries, is closely monitoring the situation and working to provide support and relief to those affected by this unprecedented flood crisis in Bangladesh.

Aug. 26, 2024 10:47 a.m. 455

#trending #latest #BangladeshFloods #MonsoonDisaster #FloodRelief #HumanitarianCrisis #ClimateChange #EmergencyResponse #BangladeshFloods2024 #FloodAid #DisasterResponse #BangladeshFlooding #ReliefEfforts #ClimateVulnerability #FloodImpact #HumanitarianAssistance #FloodRescue #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai