Bangladesh Faces Severe Monsoon Floods
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh is currently dealing with severe monsoon floods that have affected over 18 million people. According to the United Nations, more than 1.2 million families are trapped due to flash floods in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country.
Worst Affected Regions
UNICEF has identified Chattogram and Sylhet as the worst-hit areas, with major rivers flowing well above danger levels. The floods have left five million people, including two million children, stranded without food and relief. So far, 20 deaths have been reported, and 285,000 people have sought refuge in over 3,500 shelters.
Impact on Livelihoods
The floods have caused massive damage to roads, croplands, and fisheries, severely impacting livelihoods. Government-led search and rescue operations are ongoing, but some areas remain inaccessible. UN partners have indicated that water levels may not recede for at least a week, raising concerns about water- and vector-borne diseases.
Partial Restoration of Services
On August 25, electricity was partially restored in Feni after floodwaters receded. However, many areas remain inundated, and rescue volunteers have faced challenges such as foot fungus due to prolonged exposure to water. Communication has also been difficult due to load shedding and spotty mobile networks.
Government and Community Response
Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has urged all parties to cooperate in addressing health and food risks once the floodwaters recede. In Chittagong, 800 tons of rice have been allocated for disaster relief, with 200 tons already distributed. Between August 19-21, over 350,000 people were stranded in Feni city due to flooding.
Doubts Revealed
Bangladesh -: Bangladesh is a country in South Asia, located to the east of India. It is known for its rivers and is prone to flooding, especially during the monsoon season.
Monsoon -: Monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rains to certain regions, including South Asia. In India and Bangladesh, the monsoon season usually occurs from June to September.
Chattogram -: Chattogram, also known as Chittagong, is a major coastal city in Bangladesh. It is an important port city and often faces severe weather conditions, including floods.
Sylhet -: Sylhet is a city in northeastern Bangladesh, known for its tea gardens and natural beauty. It is also one of the areas badly affected by the floods.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure refers to the basic physical systems of a country, like roads, bridges, and buildings. Floods can damage these systems, making it hard for people to travel and communicate.
UN -: UN stands for the United Nations, an international organization that works to solve global problems like poverty, hunger, and natural disasters. They are helping Bangladesh during the floods.
Refuge -: Refuge means a safe place where people can go to stay safe from danger. In this case, people are seeking refuge in shelters to stay safe from the floods.
Shelters -: Shelters are places where people can stay temporarily when they lose their homes due to disasters like floods. These places provide basic needs like food, water, and a place to sleep.
