In the wake of relentless monsoon rains, approximately 1.8 million people find themselves stranded amidst catastrophic flooding in northeast Bangladesh, marking the second wave of devastating floods in less than a month. The region, encompassing Sylhet city and Sunamganj, is submerged under floodwaters triggered by prolonged torrential downpours and runoff from hilly areas along the Indian border. This deluge has caused four rivers to breach their danger levels, inundating homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure, as reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
Residents in the hardest-hit areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj are seen navigating chest-deep waters, salvaging belongings amidst unprecedented flooding. The humanitarian crisis deepens with an estimated 964,000 affected in Sylhet and 792,000 in Sunamganj, prompting the establishment of over 6,000 shelters by local authorities to accommodate displaced families. Alarmingly, more than 772,000 children urgently require assistance, with over 800 schools submerged and transformed into makeshift shelters, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
International aid efforts are mobilizing swiftly, with organizations like BRAC providing emergency food and healthcare services to affected families. Khondoker Golam Tawhid from BRAC's Disaster Risk Management Program underscores the escalating dangers posed by intensified floods, citing substantial losses to livelihoods, biodiversity, and infrastructure, alongside disruptions to education and healthcare services.
The economic toll is staggering, with fish farmers alone facing losses exceeding $11.4 million as floodwaters decimate thousands of farms and ponds. Bangladesh, known for its vulnerability to seasonal floods and cyclones, faces heightened risks exacerbated by the escalating impacts of climate change. Studies suggest that by 2050, up to 13 million Bangladeshis could become climate migrants, with severe flooding potentially slashing GDP by up to 9%, according to the World Bank.
The recent flooding follows closely on the heels of Tropical Cyclone Remal in late May, which affected millions across Bangladesh and southern India. Save the Children's regional humanitarian advocacy manager, Sultana Begum, emphasizes the profound implications of these back-to-back extreme weather events, predicting a grim trajectory for vulnerable communities and underscoring the urgent need for sustained international support.
In southern Bangladesh, home to over a million Rohingya refugees, the situation is equally dire as monsoon rains trigger landslides and inundate refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar. Tragically, mudslides and heavy rainfall have claimed ten lives, including three children, underscoring the precarious conditions faced by Rohingya refugees living in makeshift shelters vulnerable to inclement weather.
While some relief is in sight as rainfall eases and floodwaters begin to recede in northeast Bangladesh, the monsoon season is far from over. With the potential for continued heavy rains, landslides, and flooding in the coming months, the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh remains acute, demanding sustained global attention and collaborative efforts to mitigate the impacts of these devastating natural disasters.
