Floods in Bangladesh kill 54, affect more than 600,000 people

Dhaka, July 13, : The recent torrential rains, floods caused by landslides and landslides in the country have killed 54 people so far and injured at least 39. The number of affected people is more than 600,000.
This information was revealed in the latest update report of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Monday.
According to the report, the flood-hit districts are Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Moulvibazar and Habiganj. A total of 59 upazilas of the districts have been flooded due to this natural disaster. In addition, 334 unions and 12 municipalities in the affected areas have been affected by the flood.
A total of 1,55,311 families in the country are currently living in waterlogged conditions. In total, the number of people affected by floods and landslides in these 7 districts stands at 609,411. A total of 54 people have died in different parts of the country so far due to this disaster and 39 more people have been injured.
According to district-wise statistics of the dead and injured, the highest number of deaths out of the 54 dead was in Cox’s Bazar, where 31 people died. In addition, 13 people died in Chittagong, six in Bandarban, three in Rangamati and one in Moulvibazar.
On the other hand, out of the 39 injured, 24 were in Cox’s Bazar, 12 in Chittagong, two in Bandarban and one in Khagrachari.
A total of 1,042 shelters have been opened by the government to provide emergency shelter to the flood-affected and distressed people, where 38,422 endangered people have already taken shelter, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
The ongoing floods in several districts of the country, including Chittagong, have disrupted economic activities and healthcare. Several hospitals have also been flooded.
To deal with the situation, the Health Department has canceled the leave of all health workers in 11 flood-hit districts including Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, and Feni. It has been reported that there is sufficient stock of necessary saline, water purification tablets, snake bite anti-venom, and other emergency medicines.
Three-level integrated measures have been taken to ensure healthcare and the Prime Minister is regularly monitoring the overall situation. According to the Health Department, no deaths have occurred due to flood-related medical reasons so far.
Meanwhile, 95 patients bitten by snakes are admitted to hospitals in Chittagong. The concerned authorities said that all are undergoing treatment and are healthy. There is also adequate stock of anti-venom. Flood victims are being shifted to shelters.
In addition, although there has been no news of cholera so far, a special medical team has been formed to deal with possible risks and maximum alert has been maintained.
Continuous rains and hilly landslides coming down from the upstream of Tripura state of India have flooded the low-lying areas bordering Akhaura upazila, creating a flood situation. The upazila administration has already taken necessary preparations to deal with this sudden situation.
Along with heavy rainfall since Monday morning, water has started rising rapidly in various areas of the upazila due to the hilly flood that has descended from the upstream. Water has entered the lower areas of Mogra, Maniyand, Dakshin and Dharkhar unions. Many houses along the border have already been submerged.
Although the hilly flood has caused waterlogging in the Akhaura International Immigration Checkpost and Customs House areas, official activities are normal. In addition, traffic and import-export activities are also normal as the water has not risen on the Akhaura-Agartala land port road yet.
However, water has entered various offices of C&F agents and import-export companies in the land port area. Flood water has also entered several food hotels in the port area and many houses along the border.
There is a fear that the situation will deteriorate further as the Indian hilly flood water is rapidly entering Bangladesh through the Kalandi Canal and Jaji River adjacent to the land port. Local residents are worried that vast areas on both sides of the Akhaura-Agartala road, including Kalikapur, Birchandrapur, Abdullahpur, Bangerchar, Rahimpur, Sahebnagar, Adampur, Bhatamatha, Chandrapur, Bautala and Colonel Bazar, will be flooded.
Meanwhile, people on the banks of the river are worried about the possibility of the Howrah River dam breaking.
Akhaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tapsi Rabeya said that the upazila administration has taken all necessary preparations to deal with the flood situation. Various educational institutions have been kept ready as shelters for the flood-affected people. The situation is being monitored round the clock.