The death toll from one of the worst flood Bangladesh has witnessed in recent memory has risen to 27, following the deaths of four more individuals in Cumilla reported on Tuesday.
As the water levels of major rivers in north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern regions of the country continues to recede, many affected in the flood-hit remote and inaccessible areas are still not receiving essential relief supplies despite ongoing distribution efforts by students, government and non-governmental organisations.
However, the interim government assured that relief efforts are being coordinated to ensure aid, including relief materials and medical facilities, reaches all flood-affected and remote upazilas.
So far, 10 deaths have been reported in Cumilla, five each in Chattogram and Noakhali, three in Cox’s Bazar, and one each in Feni, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari and Lakshmipur, while two persons remain missing in Moulvibazar, Disaster Management and Relief Ministry said in their afternoon update on the flood situation.
The ongoing flood, which began on August 20, has affected the districts of Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur, and Cox's Bazar.
KM Ali Reza, additional secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry at a press briefing in the capital, said that 56,19,375 people have been affected by the flood across 541 unions and municipalities in 74 upazilas across 11 districts. A total of 12,07,429 families have been stranded, with 50,97,28 people seeking refuge in 3,886 shelter centres. Additionally, 34,421 cattle have been provided shelter.
Farooq-e Azam, adviser to the ministry, praised the efforts of the armed forces, students, and ordinary citizens in collecting and distributing relief materials.
He reiterated the government's continuous efforts to integrate relief efforts across all remote upazilas.
Farakka Barrage opening 'not flooding new areas'
India opened all 109 gates of the Farakka Barrage on Monday following heavy downpours in Bihar and Jharkhand. However, the move has not yet caused flooding in any new regions of Bangladesh, said adviser Farooq-e Azam.
"So far, relief has been sent to all remote upazilas. Supplies have been stockpiled, and medical services ensured at the upazila level. The relief work is progressing steadily, with emergency supplies reaching even the most remote areas.
"Water levels are receding in most regions. Newly flooded areas are also expected to see a quick drop in water levels. We are fully capable of completing the relief activities effectively. The voluntary support and enthusiasm from the people are giving us strength," he said.
FFWC forecast flood improvement
Meanwhile the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said that there is no imminent flood risk in the Ganges basin over the next seven days, despite India opening all 109 gates of the Farakka Barrage. Water levels in the Ganga River (Padma River in Bangladesh) at Chapainawabganj have risen by just seven centimetres in the last 24 hours.
In the north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern regions, water levels in major rivers are receding. No significant rainfall was recorded in eastern Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Feni districts, leading to an improving flood situation, it said.
Rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj are flowing below danger levels, with further decreases expected over the next 48 hours. Similarly, the Gumti River in Cumilla and the Muhuri River in Feni are likely to see lower water levels, which could alleviate flooding in Cumilla’s lower areas within 24 hours.
In south-eastern districts such as Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Cox's Bazar, and Chattogram, the water levels of rivers like Sangu, Matamuhuri, Karnaphuli and Halda are expected to drop, with no heavy rainfall forecasted for the next 24 hours.
However, a low-pressure system in the North-West Bay of Bengal could bring moderate to heavy rainfall to southern and south-western regions, potentially raising water levels in local rivers.
Overall, water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Surma-Kushiyara rivers are receding, and the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumarrivers in the northern region are maintaining normal flow, a trend expected to continue for the next 48 hours.
Victims struggle as aid fails to reach them
Relief operations, including the distribution of dry food, water, and medicine, are primarily concentrated in urban centres, where flood victims are receiving aid. However, many people in remote and hard-to-reach regions remain without any assistance, reports UNB.
Sources suggest that a substantial amount of relief is being dispatched from Dhaka and other locations to the affected areas. Despite these efforts, disrupted road communications and a shortage of adequate boats are preventing food and supplies from reaching flood victims stranded in distant regions. Additionally, coordination issues have been observed in the overall distribution of relief.
In the flood-affected districts of Feni, Noakhali, and Cumilla, reports indicate that remote areas are receiving insufficient aid. While relief has reached highways, roads, and urban shelter centres in the flood-hit eastern districts, communication systems remain disrupted, leaving information from hundreds of villages unavailable. Consequently, many areas remain inaccessible for aid delivery.
Between Sunday and Monday, a significant amount of relief arrived in Feni, with portions distributed to various shelters. However, volunteers and flood victims report that difficult communication conditions have hindered the transportation of relief to the worst-affected villages in Feni.
Conversations with locals in flood-affected areas reveal that those bringing relief from places like Dhaka require assistance from the local administration. Many are uncertain where to go upon arrival and face challenges in reaching remote areas due to the lack of boats.
Waterborne diseases spreading
Waterborne diseases are spreading in several areas, with diarrhoea outbreaks reported in shelters across Feni and other affected locations. While floodwaters have begun to recede in some regions, others continue to experience rising water levels.
Affected people report losing their homes, with furniture swept away and essential items destroyed. In addition to food, they urgently need clean water, dry clothes, water purification tablets, and cash to repair their homes.
Meanwhile, in a recent administrative reshuffle, 25 deputy commissioners (DCs) have been transferred, including those from 11 flood-affected districts.
Addressing concerns about the potential impact on ongoing relief efforts, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Kamrul Hasan assured that despite the transfer orders, the Ministry of Public Administration has directed that current DCs in the flood-affected districts remain in their roles until further notice, ensuring that relief operations continue uninterrupted.
