Despite a gradual improvement in flood conditions, over one million families remain stranded across 73 Upazilas in the 11 flood-hit districts on Sunday. No new fatalities were reported, though two people remain missing in Moulvibazar.
The floods have claimed 20 lives so far and affected at least 52,09,798 people in the districts Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Laxmipur and Cox’s Bazar. Over four lakh people have sought refuge in shelters as relief efforts, including government aid and private donations, continue across the affected regions.
Of the total deaths, six died in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one each in Brahmanbaria and Laxmipur and three in Cox’s Bazar districts, according to a notification circulated by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
The floods have impacted at least 10,47,029 families across 545 municipalities and unions. Currently, over 4,15,000 people are sheltered in 3,654 centres, along with 22,298 domestic animals. A total of 748 medical teams are actively providing care in the affected areas.
The government has allocated Tk 3.52 crore for the 11 flood-hit districts, along with 20,650 tonnes of rice, 15,000 packets of dry food, baby food, and Tk 3.5 million-worth of fodder. In addition to government efforts, private organisations, businesses, and the general public are contributing relief materials.
Deputy commissioners in the flood-affected districts have been instructed to coordinate with the anti-discrimination student movement, armed forces, medical teams, and other volunteers to ensure effective relief distribution.
River situation and forecast
Meanwhile, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has reported that water levels in major rivers across the North-Eastern, Eastern, and South-Eastern regions are continuing to fall, with no significant rainfall observed in the past 24 hours in Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Feni districts bordering the inland basins of India’s Tripura state.
As upstream river levels recede, the flood situation in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla, and Chattogram, is improving. No heavy rainfall is expected in the north-eastern region and adjacent uplands over the next 24 hours, further aiding flood relief. However, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in the eastern and south-eastern regions, which could stabilise or maintain current water levels in the low-lying areas, reports UNB.
However, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in the eastern part of the country and adjacent uplands in the next 24 hours. At this time, the water level of Gumti River in Cumilla district may remain stable and the flood situation in the adjacent low-lying areas may remain stable, adds the latest report made by the FFWC.
According to information acquired from meteorological agencies, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in the south-eastern region of the country and adjacent uplands. The water level of Sangu, Matamuhuri, Karnafuli Halda and other major rivers of Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram district may increase. In the same time, the flood situation in the lower areas of Feni district may improve, or may remain stable at some places.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers’ water levels are decreasing, while the Ganga-Padma is stable, which may continue till tomorrow. The water level of Surma-Kushiara rivers in northeastern part of Bangladesh is stable.
Power supply improving
Meanwhile, the power supply situation has been improving in the flood affected areas. Available statistics show that now operations of 14 power sub-stations under the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) remained suspended on Sunday due to the flood, which was 17 on Saturday, meaning that the power supply has resumed through three sub-stations on the day which were closed on the previous day.
The number of 11kV feeders which still remained closed on Sunday is 133. On the previous day, the number of closed 11kV feeders was 160, reports UNB.
The flood affected 11 Palli Bidyut Samity areas include Chandpur-1, Noakhali, Feni, Lakshmipur, Cumilla-2, Cumilla-4, Chattogram-2, Chattogram-3, Cox's Bazar, Moulvibazar, and Bhola.
Earlier the Brahmanbaria PBS was also affected by the flood, but it is not anymore, according to REB statistics.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) statistics show that only seven 11kV feeders remained out of operation because of flood while 13 closed 11kV feeders resumed power supply. The areas which were impacted by flood under the BPDB include Cumilla, Chauddagram, Brahmanbaria, Chowmuhani and Feni.
Electricity supply to 29,400 people was disrupted by flood, said the BPDB while REB said that power supply to 7,80,745 consumers was disrupted.
Dhk-Ctg Highway resumes partially
The traffic movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway resumed partially since Sunday morning after three days of halt as the floodwaters started receding Saturday evening.
Cumilla Region Highway Police Superintendent Khairul Alam said that the highway is still submerged in floodwater. Only heavy vehicles with wider wheels can navigate through the water. There is still knee-deep water on the Chattogram bound lane of the highway.
The Feni-Cumilla stretch of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway was submerged by the floodwater since the flood water level rose in Feni and Cumilla.
