DHAKA, July 13 (NNN-BSS) – According to disaster management authorities, over one million people across 13 districts have been affected by flooding in Bangladesh since late June.
Flooding hit several northern districts of the country in late June, after heavy rain in the country and in river catchments in neighbouring India. Jamalpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts were the worst affected, with some flash flooding also reported in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.
Since then flooding has been reported in a further eight districts. According to a report by Network for Information, Response And Preparedness Activities on Disaster (NIRAPAD) as of July 4, a total of 1,012,775 people have been affected and 221,158 households marooned.
Flooding has been forecast to worsen over the course of July as water makes its way downstream from currently flooded areas of neighbouring India. Recent heavy rainfall in Bangladesh has complicated the situation further. The districts of Gaibandha, Sunamganj and Sylhet all recorded more than 300 mm of rain in the first seven days of July.
According to the analysis of Needs Assessment Working Group of Bangladesh, a possible 7.5 million people could be affected by the worsening floods, with 1.37 million homes thought to be vulnerable.– NNN-BSS
