Authorities in Bangladesh say that 1.3 million people have been affected by flooding over the last 2 days. Twenty-seven people have died and around 368,000 people have been displaced and are staying in 970 temporary camps set up by the authorities.
Rivers were more than 1 metre above danger levels at 6 different points, as of 15 August. The Jamuneswari river at Badarganj and the Jamuna at Bahadurabad both recorded their highest ever levels.
River levels increased after heavy rain in catchment areas in north eastern India and Nepal (these areas are also currently affected by flooding – see Nepal floods and landslides, Assam floods, Bihar floods), as well as high levels of rainfall in parts of Bangladesh. On 15 August, Chandpur recorded 255.2mm of rain in 24 hours. Lourergorh recorded almost 400mm of rain in 48 hours from 13 to 15 August. On 13 August 198.7 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Dinajpur and 188 mm fell in Durgapur during the same period.
Affected Areas
The worst affected areas are the northern districts of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogra and Sirajganj, where the situation has worsened over the last 24 hours. Local media report some improvement in other affected districts, including Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rangpur and Lalmonirhat.
Rivers
Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre says that rivers were flowing above danger levels at 30 monitored water level stations. Six stations were showing levels 1 metres or more above the danger mark:
- Jamuneswari at Badarganj
- Jamuna at Bahadurabad
- Jamuna at Sariakandi
- Jamuna at Kazipur
- Jamuna at Serajganj
- Kangsha at Jariajanjail
In a flood report of 15 August, FFWC said:
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma rivers are in rising trend, while Surma-Kushiyara rivers are in falling trend.
The Brahmaputra river may likely to become steady in next 24 hours, while the Jamuna river may likely continue rising in next 24 hours.
The Ganges-Padma river may likely to continue rising in next 72 hours.
The Surma-Kushiyara river may likely to continue falling in next 48 hours.
Rainfall
24 hours to 13 August 2017
- Lourergorh – 200 mm
- Dinajpur – 198.7 mm
- Durgapur – 188 mm
24 hours to 14 August 2017
- Lourergorh – 195 mm
- Sunamganj -68 mm
- Sylhet – 54 mm
24 hours to 15 August 2017
- Chandpur – 255.2 mm
- Comilla – 160 mm
- Sheola – 98 mm
- Habiganj – 78 mm
Featured photo: file photo of floods in Bangladesh, for illustration. Photo credit: Bangladesh Department of Disaster Management
