Bangladesh floods leave millions stranded and cause multiple fatalities

Severe floods caused by torrential rains have left millions stranded in low-lying regions of Bangladesh. The flood waters have claimed several lives and severely damaged infrastructure.

Severe floods triggered by heavy torrential rains have inundated low-lying regions of Bangladesh. The relentless rains and floods have stranded roughly 3 million people, claimed 2 lives, and caused severe damage to infrastructure, said a statement by the disaster management ministry of Bangladesh on August 22.

At least 13 people have been killed and 4.5 million affected by floods triggered in eastern Bangladesh, reported Al Jazeera.

Three people died after drowning in floodwaters in the southeastern region of Cox’s Bazar, according to the chief administrative officer of Ramu district Rasedul Islam.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that with the rains continuing, water levels could rise further over the next 24 hours.

Continuing rains could cause a rise in water levels through August 23, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

Road connectivity in several regions was severed, isolating communities and hampering relief efforts, said the disaster management and relief officials.

The most affected districts in Bangladesh included Feni, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Comilla, and Chittagong, where five major rivers were flowing above danger levels, according to FFWC. Feni the main port city of Chittagong was the worst hit by the floods.

Roughly 190 000 people were taken to emergency relief shelters and 11 out of the 64 districts in the country were affected by the flooding.

The army and the navy have been deployed, with speedboats and helicopters rescuing those stranded by the swollen rivers.

References:

¹ Deadly floods leave millions stranded in Bangladesh – Al Jazeera – August 23, 2024

² Bangladesh floods maroon nearly three million people, kill two – Reuters – August 22, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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