Floods in Bangladesh Leave 1.8 Million Stranded and 772,000 Children in Need
Heavy rains have caused severe flooding in northeast Bangladesh, leaving 1.8 million people stranded and affecting 2.25 million overall. Sylhet and Sunamganj are the hardest hit, with 964,000 and 792,000 people affected respectively. Over 6,000 shelters have been set up, but food and clean water shortages are a concern. UNICEF reports 772,000 children need urgent help. Floods have also impacted fish farms and Rohingya refugee camps, causing significant economic and human losses.
Impact on Sylhet and Sunamganj
Large areas of Sylhet city and nearby Sunamganj are underwater, marking the second wave of flooding in less than a month. Villagers in the hardest-hit low-lying areas of Sylhet are wading through chest-deep water, trying to protect their belongings. Authorities have set up over 6,000 shelters for the displaced.
Children in Urgent Need
UNICEF reported on June 21 that 772,000 children are in urgent need of assistance. Over 800 schools have been flooded, and 500 more are being used as flood shelters.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Fish farmers have faced significant losses as floodwaters wash away thousands of farms and ponds, with an economic toll of over Tk 11.4 million. Khondoker Golam Tawhid from BRAC said flooding is becoming more dangerous due to climate change, causing huge losses to livelihoods, biodiversity, and infrastructure.
Rohingya Refugee Camps
Monsoon rains and landslides have also affected southern Bangladesh, where about a million Rohingya refugees live. At least 10 people, including three children, died from mudslides and heavy rainfall in the refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar. Save the Children reported that about 8,000 people in 33 camps have been impacted, with more than 1,000 shelters destroyed or damaged.
