The recent floods in Bangladesh, caused by relentless monsoon rains and overflowing rivers, have claimed at least 23 lives and impacted 5.7 million people. The severe conditions have left many in dire need of basic necessities like food, clean water, medicine, and dry clothing. This need is especially urgent in remote regions where blocked roads are impeding rescue and relief efforts.
In total, about 1.24 million families are stranded across 11 districts. The receding floodwaters are moving very slowly, and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that flood conditions might persist if the monsoon rains continue.
Currently, around 470,000 people are sheltered in 3,500 relief centers located in the flood-affected districts. Approximately 650 medical teams are on-site providing treatment, while the army, air force, navy, and border guards are actively participating in the rescue and relief operations.
Concerns are growing regarding significant crop damage. The agricultural ministry fears that if the floodwaters remain for an extended period, substantial damage to crops will occur due to the extensive submerged areas.
According to a 2015 World Bank Institute analysis, around 3.5 million people in Bangladesh, a country highly vulnerable to climate change, are at risk of annual river flooding. Scientists have linked the worsening of such catastrophic events to climate change.
Farah Kabir, director of ActionAid Bangladesh, highlighted the need for immediate financial assistance for countries like Bangladesh, which, despite having minimal emissions, face severe impacts from climate change and frequent disasters. She emphasized the need to recover from the current damage, build resilience against future impacts, and pursue sustainable development.
In Noakhali, one of the hardest-hit districts, 56-year-old Shukuri Begum experienced the devastating effects firsthand. Her home was swept away by floodwaters, and she was forced to flee with her grandchildren to a neighbor’s house. Unfortunately, this refuge proved unsafe as well. Shukuri expressed her anguish, revealing that they had to leave her disabled son behind in a precarious situation, hoping for his safety amidst the chaos.
