The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) in Bangladesh reports that rivers are above danger levels in 14 locations across the country, as of 30 June 2020. Seven locations are at warning level. Local media report thousands of people in Jamalpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts are marooned or displaced, with their homes and land submerged.
Levels of several rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Dharla, Jamuna and Ghaghat have increased after days of heavy rain in the country and in river catchments further north. High river flows from neighbouring parts of India have also contributed.
According to the Dhaka Tribune over 100,000 people in Jamalpur district have been marooned after flood waters surrounded their homes.
Over 150,000 of people in Kurigram have been affected by flooding, with wide areas of crops under water. As of 30 June, FFWC reports that that the Brahmaputra river at Noonkhawa in Kurigram stood at 27.14 metres, above the danger mark of 26.5 metres and the Dharla in Kurigram stood at 27.46 metres, where danger levels are 26.5
metres.
The Tribune also reports that 18,000 people in Sadar, Fulchhari and Saghata upazilas of Gaibandha district were forced from their homes. The Ghaghat river in Gaibandha stood at 22.13 metres on 30 June, where danger levels are 21.7 metres.
Parts of Sylhet Division in the north east of the country have seen very heavy rainfall over the last few days, resulting in flash flooding in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. Sunamganj recorded 190 mm of rain in 24 hours on 27 June and and 213 mm the next day. Rain in the north east has increased levels of the Surma river, which as of 30 June, was above the danger mark in locations in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.
Social Media
Glimpses of communities in Kurigram preparing for the worst. Reaching them with forecast and early warning information may have given them a little bit of a head start. Photo credit: Ballal Hossain, SUFAL Project, @CAREBdesh#anticipatoryaction #ForecastBasedAction pic.twitter.com/dXcb0Obaga
— Sumaiya Kabir (@sumaiyakabir) June 28, 2020
Today, for the first time @BDRCS1 activated their @IFRC_DREF Forecast-based Early Action Protocol for flood in 3 Jamuna floodplain districts with technical support from @roteskreuz_de Bangladesh team to implement early actions befor the flood peak.@AnticipationHub #EarlyAction pic.twitter.com/KgpKDOThBO
— Afroza Haque (@afroza_haque) June 28, 2020
@BDRCS1 is implementing #EarlyAction in Bangladesh for flood and will reach 3,300 HHs (500 in Gaibandha, 1,400 in Jamalpur & Kurigram) with cash assistance of BDT 4,500 and evacuation support.@IFRC_DREF @roteskreuz_de @AnticipationHub @RCClimate @ifrc @IFRCAsiaPacific pic.twitter.com/qj9Jmqg8sm
— Afroza Haque (@afroza_haque) June 29, 2020
Featured photo: File Photo for illustration only: Bangladesh floods south western district of Satkhira, 2012. Photo: ECHO
