DistantNews
Support us
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh /Disasters & Emergencies

[object Object]

From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Floodwaters are receding in parts of Chattogram Division, Bangladesh, allowing some residents to return home, but fresh rainfall has worsened the situation in Banshkhali.
  • Around 60,000 people remain marooned in Banshkhali due to continuous rain, with water levels rising further and disrupting daily life.
  • Officials warn of a heightened risk of waterborne diseases as tube wells are submerged and access to safe drinking water is limited, while extensive damage to agriculture and fisheries has caused significant financial losses.

While floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas of Bangladesh's Chattogram Division, offering relief to some residents, fresh rainfall has prolonged the crisis in Banshkhali. Approximately 60,000 people remain stranded in the Banshkhali upazila, where continuous rain has prevented floodwaters from subsiding and even caused levels to rise further in some locations.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ruhul Amin described the situation in Banshkhali as dire, noting that the area would have seen significant improvement had it not rained. Many residents are avoiding official shelters, opting instead to stay with relatives on higher ground. Daily life is severely disrupted by submerged homes, damaged roads, and power outages. "The water level has increased since this morning because of the rain. The situation has worsened," said Limon Barua, a local resident, describing how everything around his home is underwater.

Had it not rained today, the situation would have improved significantly.

โ€” Md Ruhul AminUpazila Nirbahi Officer, describing the impact of continued rainfall on the flood situation in Banshkhali.

Relief efforts are ongoing, with both government agencies and non-governmental organizations distributing aid. However, many affected families report that assistance has not yet reached their communities. The floods have inflicted substantial damage across Chattogram, with official estimates indicating losses of Tk 39 crore in the fisheries sector alone due to damage to approximately 10,000 fish ponds. Additionally, around 14,300 hectares of cropland have been affected.

Health officials are raising concerns about an increased risk of waterborne diseases. Many tube wells remain submerged, limiting access to safe drinking water in several affected areas. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain to continue until tomorrow afternoon before easing, but the immediate outlook remains challenging for those impacted by the persistent flooding.

The roads around our home, the low-lying fields -- everything is under water. We are confined to our house. The water level has increased since this morning because of the rain. The situation has worsened.

โ€” Limon BaruaA madrasa lecturer from Banshkhali, detailing the personal impact of the rising floodwaters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.