Bangladesh floods: 5 dead, 5 million people stranded in Bangladesh's low-lying areas
Bangladesh floods; In Bangladesh, approximately five million people have been stranded due to severe flooding in low-lying areas after strong currents breached river embankments. The death toll has risen to 15 as flooding, the worst since 2018, has affected at least five major rivers and 11 districts, according to government data.
The catastrophic floods have compounded recent challenges for the nation of 170 million, which has been grappling with political unrest and violence. This crisis follows the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month, amidst a student-led uprising. An interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has since assumed control.
Liakath Ali, director of climate change at BRAC, a non-governmental organisation, described the floods as the worst in three decades. "There are people stranded across the country, and we are expecting the situation to worsen in many areas as rainfall continues," Ali stated.
The government is actively responding by providing food and emergency medical supplies to those marooned by the floods. The authorities have set up 3,176 shelters and deployed 639 medical teams to assist affected individuals.
However, rescue operations are being hindered by telecommunications breakdowns, disrupted transportation, and inundated roads and highways. "People had no time to save anything," Ali added. "Entire villages, along with all their residents and possessions—homes, livestock, farmlands, and fisheries—have been completely washed away."
- With inputs from agencies
