In eastern Bangladesh, heavy rains have caused severe flooding, resulting in at least 13 deaths and affecting around 4.5 million people, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. The floods have inundated vast areas of low-lying land, leading to significant damage and prompting a large-scale evacuation effort. Nearly 190,000 individuals have been moved to emergency shelters as 11 of the country’s 64 districts struggle with the rising waters.
The region of Feni, located about 100 kilometers northwest of Chittagong, has been hit the hardest by the flooding. The widespread nature of the disaster highlights Bangladesh’s susceptibility to such events, given its geographical position and extensive river system. This situation is exacerbated by climate change, which is making weather patterns more extreme and increasing the frequency of severe weather events.
In the southeastern region of Cox’s Bazar, three individuals have drowned as a result of the floods. This tragic outcome underscores the immediate dangers posed by the floods, including the loss of life and the challenges of managing such a large-scale disaster. The annual monsoon rains typically bring widespread destruction, but the impact is now more severe due to shifting climate patterns.
In response to the crisis, both the army and navy have been mobilized to assist with rescue operations. They are using speedboats and helicopters to reach and evacuate stranded individuals from the flooded areas. The complexity of the situation is heightened by the country’s dense river network, which complicates rescue efforts and adds to the overall difficulty of managing the disaster.