Floods in 5 districts batter over 4 lakh people: Report

More than 418,000 people have been affected in five districts due to the flash floods, according to a report published by the Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG).

The worst affected are those living in the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, bordering Meghalaya state in India, according to a statement.

A humanitarian crisis may unfold in the country as monsoon floods affected large areas in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh, devastating thousands of houses and acres of croplands.

The flood situation has created an acute crisis of clean water, sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare among the affected population, while also damaging the livelihoods of many, read the statement.

Several areas have been left without power for days over the past weeks, and roads and communications have been disrupted due to floodwater.

Though floodwater started to recede in many areas, new challenges have emerged with the risk of a waterborne disease outbreak among the affected population in the aftermath of the floods.

In this regard, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Secretary General Kazi Shofiqul Azam said, “Severe flash flooding is battering the lives of millions in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts of Bangladesh and people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.”

“Our teams are on the ground reaching affected people with emergency dry food, clean water, hygiene kits and other necessary relief items,” he added.

Bangladesh Red Crescent teams are carrying out rapid assessment alongside relief operations.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released 404,434 Swiss francs to support Bangladesh Red Crescent’s critical relief efforts from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund.

The money will be spent to help affected people meet their most urgent needs and restore their ruined livelihoods.

IFRC Head of Bangladesh Country Delegation Sanjeev Kafley expects more floods in the coming weeks and months.

He said, “This is only the beginning of monsoon season in Bangladesh and severe floods are already putting millions of people at risk”.  

“We are doing everything we can to help those who are affected and are left without basics such as food and clean water. It is crucial to control disease outbreak as water starts to recede,” added Kafley.