Bangladesh – Floods in 15 Districts Affect Almost 1.4 Million

by in Asia, News

The predicted second wave of flooding is sweeping through Bangladesh, inundating wide areas and affecting almost 1.4 million people across 15 districts.

Floods in Kurigram district captured by the Sentinel 2 satellite. Image: Copernicus

The first wave of flooding began in late June and continued into July.  The flooding eased somewhat in a few northern districts over the last few days but had not fully receded in all parts of the country before long-term heavy rainfall in upstream areas of India as well as in Bangladesh caused a second wave of flooding.

Rivers Above Danger Levels in 20 Locations

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) reported on 15 July that rivers were at danger levels in 17 locations.

As of 15 July, rivers were at severe flood levels (more than 1 metre above the danger mark) in 4 locations: the Brahmaputra river at Chilmari, Kurigram district (24.71 metres, danger is 23.70m); the Jamuna river at Bahadurabad (20.74 m, danger is 19.5 m); the Jamuna at Sariakandi (17.82 m, danger is 16.7 m); and the Jamuna at Kazipur (16.19 metres, danger is 15.25 m).


River levels in Bangladesh, 15 July 2020. Image: Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, BWDB, Bangladesh

1.4 Million Affected in 15 Districts

The National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRCC) of Bangladesh reported that as of 13 July, 1,396,870 individuals have been affected by the floods in 15 districts.

The north eastern districts of Sirajganj (159,153 affected) and Sylhet (387,587) are among the worst affected. The north and central districts of Tangail (132,480), Gaibandha (122,320) and Jamalpur (114,733) are also also badly hit.

Almost 1,000 shelter centres have been set up across the country to house those displaced by flooding. As of 13 July over 15,000 people had moved to emergency accommodation, including 9,193 in Sunamganj
district, 3,424 in Gaibandha and 1,012 in Jamalpur.

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