The flood situation in the south and south-eastern regions of the country is gradually improving, though the death toll has risen to 31, with four more fatalities reported in Cumilla, Noakhali, and Feni on Wednesday.
Despite this overall improvement, conditions in Noakhali and Lakshmipur have worsened due to continuous rainfall and rising river levels, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded and forcing many to seek shelter, often overwhelming the centres.
However, at a press conference at the secretariat, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief KM Ali Reza stated that water levels in all rivers have started to recede and assured that the flood situation in Bangladesh is expected to improve as there is no forecast of heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.
While updating the death toll, Reza said that among the total fatalities, 12 were in Cumilla, five in Chattogram, six in Noakhali, two in Feni, three in Cox’s Bazar, and one each in Khagrachhari, Brahmanbaria, and Lakshmipur. Additionally, two people remain missing in Moulvibazar district.
The ongoing floods have affected 58,22,734 people across 528 unions and municipalities in 73 upazilas of 11 districts. A total of 12,27,544 families have been marooned, and 5,40,510 people have sought refuge in 4,003 shelter centres, where 39,531 cattle have also been sheltered.
Reza mentioned that 619 medical teams are providing healthcare services to those in flood-hit areas. The ministry has also increased its cash support for flood victims, allocating an additional Tk 1 crore, bringing the total to Tk 4.52 crore.
Relief distribution, coordination
Relief distribution efforts by both government and non-government organisations are ongoing in the affected districts. A total of 88,500 packets of relief items, including dry foods, clothing, and water, collected by the coordinators of the Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, have been dispatched to the flood-affected areas through the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).
The DDM, in close cooperation with the Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, is coordinating around the clock. Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the affected districts have been instructed to work in coordination with the Boishommo Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Air Force, Fire Service and Civil Defence, medical teams, and other volunteers, Reza said.
As of this afternoon, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief reported that 20,650 tonnes of rice, 15,000 packets of dry food, Tk 35 lakh for baby food, and Tk 35 lakh for fodder have been allocated for the 11 flood-hit districts.
The affected districts include Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur, and Cox’s Bazar, with the ongoing floods having started on August 20.
River levels receding
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) reported on Wednesday that water levels in all major rivers across the country are now flowing below the danger level. The water level of the Ganges remained unchanged at both the Farakka point upstream and the Pankha border station, with this stability expected to continue for the next 48 hours.
Water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, Padma, and Surma-Kushiyara rivers in the north-eastern region are receding, while the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in the northern region are maintaining a normal flow, which is also expected to persist for the next 48 hours.
No heavy rainfall recorded or expected
In the past 24 hours, no significant rainfall was recorded in the border areas of the north-eastern and eastern districts, including Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Feni, nor in the upstream basins of India's Tripura province. Consequently, water levels in these regions are decreasing.
Meteorological agencies have indicated that the likelihood of heavy rainfall in the region and its adjacent upstream areas over the next 24 hours is low. As a result, water levels in the Manu, Khowai, Feni, Muhuri, Gumti, and Titas rivers are expected to continue declining.
Similarly, the Met Office has forecast no heavy rainfall in the south-eastern region and adjacent uplands over the next 24 hours, leading to anticipated decreases in water levels in the Sangu, Matamuhuri, Karnaphuli, Halda, and other major rivers in the area.
The low-pressure system over the north-west Bay of Bengal and adjoining southern Bangladesh has weakened, reducing the likelihood of heavy rainfall in the south and south-western parts of the country in the next 24 hours. As a result, rivers in these regions are expected to maintain a normal flow.
