ACT Alert

Bangladesh - 01/2004

Flooding in Bangladesh worsening

Geneva, 15 July, 2004

The flood situation in northeastern, northern and central Bangladesh has been aggravated further with the inundation of more low-lying areas due to heavy downpours and the onrush of water from upstream sources in India and Nepal. Weather officials do not expect any significant improvement immediately as the pressure of upstream water and local rainfall may intensify further.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, the water levels are rising simultaneously in three major river systems. Most rivers, including the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, Ganges-Padma and Meghna, are above danger levels. Out of 85 monitoring stations, 20 points have crossed the danger marks.

According to media reports, about three million people are already marooned by the floods. The deluge washed away hundreds of houses, leaving thousands of families homeless. Crops are under water in all the affected districts, but no reliable estimate of losses was immediately available, although, according to one source, the loss may be 25 percent.

The flood has engulfed the central areas, and many low-lying areas in and around Dhaka, the capital, are under water. Hundreds of schools are closed indefinitely in northeastern Sylhet and northern districts. Many families have taken shelter on boats, highways, schools and government buildings. They face shortages of food and drinking water, as relief agencies cannot reach victims in remote areas. Day laborers are jobless and without wages. People in many places including Haor and Char (swamp and sandbar) areas cannot cook food from lack of fuel and cookers. A fodder crisis is reported from the northern and north-eastern districts. Prices of daily necessities are rising in the affected areas. Railway links between the northern and northeastern districts and the capital are cut off.

Waterborne diseases are spreading fast in 25 flood-affected districts, with Sylhet, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Sirajganj the worst-hit.

Situation in the Northeast region

Due to torrential rains and water rushing down the Meghalaya Hills and from neighboring Kachar and Karimgonj districts of Assam in neighboring India, the flood situation in greater Sylhet division has worsened. Low-lying areas of Sylhet city are under 60 cm of water.

Situation in the Northern Region

The Brahmaputra and Darla rivers are flowing above danger levels at Chilmari, Bahadurabad, Sirajganj and Aricha by 49 cm, 67 cm, 75 cm and 2 cm respectively. The Darla recorded a further rise by 8 cm at Kurigram and was flowing 91 cm above danger level on 13 July. However, as a welcome sign, the rains have ceased as of 14 July.

Thousands of Kutcha (thatched or mud) houses are damaged, and 50 percent of total population of the area is affected. Educational institutions of the Char (sand bar) area remained closed as they went under water. People are facing a severe crisis of drinking water and food. The government has started to distribute rice and cash.

Weather officials predict that since the monsoon is still very active in the neighboring northeastern states of India, the rains are likely to continue for several more days, thus aggravating the flood downstream in Bangladesh.

On 14 July, an inter-ministerial meeting was held where all concerned ministries and donor representatives were present. According to the meeting, 25 districts are affected by the floods, while the government has allocated food items and cash for the affected people. Government officials said the situation is still under control, and they have not appealed to the donor community for relief assistance yet.

An RDRS rapid-assessment team reports that 10,000-12,000 families are displaced and have lost their houses either partially or fully. Embankments and roads are damaged in many places. The Amon (summer rice) seedlings and vegetables in the field are damaged. Diarreaheal disease cases have been reported, and there is a scarcity of fodder.

Bangladesh ACT Forum

Bangladesh partners of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International are maintaining regular contact and are sharing information with each another. At present, working areas of RDRS, Koinonia and CCDB have been affected.

RDRS is extending support for evacuation and providing some relief items like plastic tarpaulins and high-protein biscuits from its limited stock.

KOINONIA is arranging a team for the area of Lalmonirat and intend to assist 2,000 families with food and medicines.

The members of the Bangladesh ACT Forum have agreed to send out this joint alert and also to send a joint ACT Appeal if the flood situation worsens.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org). Thank you.