August 2024 Bangladesh floods

Last updated
August 2024 Bangladesh floods
Part of 2024 floods of Bangladesh
August 2024 Bangladesh floods effected areas.svg
Flood affected areas, worst affected areas in dark red
Date21 August 2024 - present
Location Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur, and Cox's Bazar [1]
CauseExcessive rainfall, landslides, and sudden water surge from upstream [2]
Deaths71 [3]
Displaced502,501+ [4]
~5.8 million people have been affected [4]

On August 21, 2024, heavy rainfall, coupled with a surge of water released from a dam in India's Tripura, [5] resulted in severe flooding that affected 73 upazilas (sub-districts) and 528 unions/municipalities across 11 districts in northeastern and southeastern Bangladesh. [1] It marks one of the worst flood events in recent history.

Contents

Developments

21 August

Cloudbursts began on the morning of 19 August, leading to prolonged and intense rainfall. The subsequent deluge, compounded by water flowing downstream, inundated the eastern region of the affected area. The cloudbursts extended over a stretch of 50 to 70 kilometers, impacting areas from Tripura in India to Cumilla and Feni in Bangladesh. These regions experienced heavy rainfall consistently from 19 to 21 August. [6]

22 August

At 6 PM, the water flow at the Dalya point was recorded at 51.50 centimeters. The danger level for this point is considered to be 52.15 centimeters. At the same time, the water flow at the Kaunia point was 28.61 centimeters, with a danger level of 29.31 centimeters. Compared to 3 PM, the water flow at this point increased by 0.7 centimeters at 6 PM. [7]

23 August

At 9 AM, the water level of the Gomti River at the Devi Dwara point in Comilla was measured at 8.58 meters, which is 53 centimeters above the danger level. At the same time, the river water was flowing at a height of 12.48 meters at the Comilla point. An analysis of 37 years of data from 1988 to 2024 by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) revealed that the Gomti River had never reached such a high level. [8] [8]

24 August

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center reported that, there was no significant rainfall in the past 24 hours in India's Tripura border areas of the eastern districts of Comilla, Brahmanbaria, and Feni, as well as in the inner catchment of Tripura state. The water levels in the upstream rivers continued to recede. The flood situation in the low-lying areas of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla, and Chattogram districts improved. [9]

25 August

The flood situation in Noakhali deteriorated drastically due to the upstream water from Feni. [10] The flood situation in Lakshmipur also deteriorated. The water level was observed to have risen further by the evening. [11]

26 August

India opened all 109 gates of the Farakka Barrage, resulting in the release of 1.1 million cubic feet per second of water into Bangladesh in a single day. The opening of the dam also raised concerns about further flooding in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, India. [12]

27 August

The flooding situation in Lakshmipur deteriorated again due to continuous rain starting in the evening. [13] Floods in Mirsharai, Chattogram, began receding. [14] However, some localities in Dagonbhuj and Sonagazi upazilas remained inundated. [15] Faruk Ahmed, the advisor on disaster management and relief, stated that no new areas had been inundated even after the Farakka barrage gates were opened. [16]

28 August

Floodwaters in Monohorganj, Comilla, continued to rise. [17] Floodwaters in eight upazilas and seven municipalities of Noakhali continued to rise because of flows from Feni due to continuous heavy rainfall. Water levels also rose in Sadar, Kabirhat, Companiganj, Begumganj, Senbagh, Sonaimuri, Chatkhil and Sonaimuri upazilas. [18]

29 August

Following the cessation of rainfall, three to eight inches of water decreased in the previous 24 hours across all the upazilas of Noakhali. At that rate, it was estimated that the floodwaters would take about one week to recede fully. [19]

Cause

Experts believe that the sudden heavy rainfall caused by a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, coupled with upstream water from transboundary rivers, led to the flood situation in the country. [2] Simultaneously, the opening of the dam of the Dumbur Hydroelectric Project in the Indian state of Tripura is also attributed to the flood. [20] Although Indian media reported this, the Indian government later denied it. [21] [22] [23] [24] Bangladeshi locals accused India of releasing water from the Dumbur dam with no warning. [25]

Casualties

Floods in Feni District ddubnt shtbrss purno laal bilddiN.jpg
Floods in Feni District

On 3 September 2024, the reported fatalities included 45 men, 19 children, and seven women. The highest number of deaths occurred in Feni, with 28 fatalities. In addition, 19 people died in Comilla, 11 in Noakhali, six in Chattogram, and three in Cox's Bazar. There was one death each in Khagrachari, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, and Moulvibazar. This brought the total death toll from the floods to 71. [3]

Impact

According to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC), approximately 5.8 million people in the northeastern and southeastern regions have been affected by recent flooding, with over 1 million individuals currently isolated in flood-impacted communities. As a result, 502,501 people have been displaced and are residing in 3,403 evacuation shelters.

The districts most severely impacted include Noakhali, Cumilla, Laxipur, Feni, Chattogram, and Moulvibazar. The flooding has submerged rural roads, agricultural fields, and fishponds, disrupting essential access and severely impacting local livelihoods. The disaster has affected an estimated 296,852 hectares of crops. Initial assessments estimate the financial losses in fisheries at USD 122 million and in livestock at USD 34 million. [4]

Domestic reactions

Nahid Islam, an advisor to the interim government, said that India had deliberately released water by opening the dam's gates without prior notice showcasing their inhumanity and non-cooperation with Bangladesh. [26] Left Democratic Alliance leaders accused India of violating international law by opening dams without prior warning. According to international law, an upstream country is supposed to inform a downstream country 72 hours before opening the gates of a dam. However, the Dumbur and Kalsi dams were opened without any prior warning. [27] The Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Kumar Verma, claimed that the Dumbur dam in India opened automatically, not intentionally. [28] Bangladesh Nationalist Party Standing Committee member Hafizuddin Ahmed said that "India, by unjustly constructing dams on common rivers, has obstructed the natural flow of water. This, he argues, is the reason why people in the country are suffering from floods." [29]

International responses

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feni District</span> District of Bangladesh in Chittagong Division

Feni is a coastal district situated in the south-east of Bangladesh, within the Chittagong Division. One of Bangladesh's smallest districts, it is strategically located along the Dhaka–Chittagong transportation corridor. Bordered by India to the north and the Bay of Bengal to the south, it serves as the sole entry point linking Chittagong, the country's primary port city, to the northern districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chittagong Division</span> Division of Bangladesh

Chittagong Division, officially known as Chattogram Division, is geographically the largest of the eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. It covers the south-easternmost areas of the country, with a total area of 34,529.97 km2 (13,332.10 sq mi) and a population at the 2022 census of 33,202,326. The administrative division includes mainland Chittagong District, neighbouring districts and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comilla District</span> District of Bangladesh in Chittagong Division

Comilla District, officially known as Cumilla District, is a district located in southeastern Bangladesh. It lies about 100 kilometres south east of Dhaka. Comilla is bordered by Brahmanbaria and Narayanganj districts to the north, Noakhali and Feni districts to the south, Tripura state of India to the east and Munshiganj and Chandpur districts to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noakhali District</span> District of Bangladesh in Chittagong Division

Noakhali, historically known as Bhulua, is a district in southeastern Bangladesh, located in the Chittagong Division. It was established as a district in 1821, and officially named Noakhali in 1868. The district's administrative center is situated in the municipality of Noakhali, also referred to as Maijdee, within Noakhali Sadar Upazila. Notably, Noakhali is the only district in Bangladesh that does not have a city named after itself.

The Feni is a river in southeastern Bangladesh and Tripura state of India. It is a trans-boundary river that is the subject of an ongoing dispute about water rights. The Feni River originates in South Tripura district and flows through Sabroom town and then enters Bangladesh. Muhuri River, also called Little Feni, from Noakhali District joins it near its mouth. The river is navigable by small boats as far as Ramgarh, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) upstream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chittagong District</span> District of Bangladesh in Chittagong Division

Chittagong District, officially Chattogram District, is a district located in south-eastern Bangladesh. It is a part of the Chittagong Division. The port city of Chittagong, which is the second largest city in Bangladesh, is located within this district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chauddagram Upazila</span> Region of Chittagong Division, Bangladesh

Chauddagram is an upazila of Cumilla District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh. It also a Municipality under Cumilla District.Chauddagram Municipality is a part of Chauddagram Upazila. A municipality in Comilla district of Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laksam Upazila</span> Upazila in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Laksam is an upazila of Comilla District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Laksam is widely known as the birthplace of Nawab Faizunnesa Chowdhurani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nangalkot Upazila</span> Upazila in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Nangalkot is an upazila, an administrative unit, of the Comilla District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh. It is a rural area with no urban settlements. It has 16 unions, the lowest of administrative units in Bangladesh. It is one of the 16 upazilas, the second tier of administrative units, of the Cumilla District.The language and culture of Nangalkot Upazila is reciprocally similar to the language of the greater Noakhali region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chhagalnaiya Upazila</span> Upazila in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Chhagalnaiya is an upazila of Feni District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noakhali Sadar Upazila</span> Upazila in Chittagong, Bangladesh

Noakhali Sadar is an upazila of Noakhali District in the Division of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Noakhali Thana was established in 1861 and was converted into an upazila in 1984. The upazila takes its name from the district and the Bengali word sadar (headquarters). It is the subdistrict where the district headquarters, Noakhali town, is located. The town is situated on the western bank of the Noakhali Canal, from which it takes its name. The Noakhali Canal was dug in 1660 to control flooding of the river Dakatia. The name Noakhali means "New canal", derived from the Bengali words noa (new) and khal (canal).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comilla</span> City in eastern Bangladesh

Comilla, officially spelled Cumilla, is a metropolis on the banks of the Gomti River in eastern Bangladesh. Comilla was one of the cities of ancient Bengal. It was once the capital of Tripura kingdom. Comilla Airport is located in the Dulipara area of Comilla city Although it is currently replaced with Comilla Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Comilla City is a division centered city district with surrounding districts coming to Comilla in more diverse areas of work. Bibir Bazar land port is located 5 km away from Comilla city. The area of Comilla City Corporation is 53.04 square kilometers, so the surrounding areas of the main city fall under the jurisdiction of the City Corporation. The urban areas falling outside the city corporation are considered as suburbs with a population of 600,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhuri River</span> River in Bangladesh

The Muhuri is a transnational river between India and Bangladesh. Rising in Tripura, it flows into Bangladesh where it merges with the Feni near the latter's mouth to the Bay of Bengal. The Muhuri is also known as the Little Feni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meghna Division</span> Proposed division in Bangladesh

Meghna Division, also known as Comilla Division, is a proposed administrative division within Bangladesh for the north-western parts of the existing Chittagong Division, comprising Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, and Laxmipur Districts of Chittagong Division. The headquarter of the division would be in Comilla. It covers the south-easternmost areas of the country, with a total area of 12,848.53 km2 (4,960.85 sq mi) and a population at the 2011 census of 16,708,000.

2000 India–Bangladesh floods, also known as the flood of 2000 occurred in the districts of West Bengal, India and the India-Bangladesh border districts of Khulna Division in 2000. In the sudden flood, people left their houses and took shelter in refuge camps.

The Feni River is a trans-boundary river located in Bangladesh, and the water rights have been a source of dispute between India and Bangladesh. It originates in the South Tripura district and flows through Sabroom town, entering Bangladesh. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bangladesh and India, allowing India to withdraw 1.82 cubic feet per second of water from the Feni River. These two countries have signed seven bilateral documents concerning the water disputes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Noakhali</span>

The Greater Noakhali district region predominantly includes the districts of Noakhali, Feni and Lakshmipur, although historically included the island of Sandwip in Bay of Bengal. The history of the undivided Noakhali district region begins with the existence of civilisation in the villages of Shilua and Bhulua. Bhulua became a focal point of Bengal during the Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms of Pundra, Harikela and Samatata leading it to become the initial name of the region as a whole. The medieval Kingdom of Bhulua enjoyed autonomy under the Twipra Kingdom and Bengal Sultanate before being conquered by the Mughal Empire. At the beginning of the 17th century, Portuguese pirates led by Sebastian Gonzales took control of the ara but were later defeated by Governor Shaista Khan. Affected by floodwaters, the capital of the region was swiftly moved to a new place known as Noakhali, from which the region presently takes its name. By 1756, the British East India Company had dominated and started to establish several factories in the region. The headquarters was once again moved in 1951, to Maijdee, as a result of Noakhali town vanishing due to fluvial erosion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India–Bangladesh friendship park</span> Memorial park

Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Udyan in Chottakhola was one of the base camps of Bangladeshi Freedom Fighters from where they launched guerrilla warfare against the Pakistani army in Chittagong, Comilla and greater Noakhali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 India–Bangladesh floods</span>

Beginning in May 2022, deadly floods hit northeastern India and Bangladesh. Over 9 million people in both countries have been affected, and around 300 people were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep Depression BOB 05 (2024)</span> North Indian cyclone

Deep Depression BOB 05 was a weak tropical cyclone that impacted Bangladesh and India. The seventh depression and fourth deep depression of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, BOB 05 originated from a broad area of cyclonic circulation partially related to the remnants of Typhoon Yagi in the Western Pacific. Moving generally northwestward, the depression failed to intensify further, reaching maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (35 mph) and a central pressure of 989 hPa (29.21 inHg). It would weaken, becoming a remnant low on 18 September.

References

  1. 1 2 "Situation Report-3, Southeastern Flood in Bangladesh - BDRCS" (PDF). Bangladesh Red Crescent Society . Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  2. 1 2 "যে কারণে এ পরিস্থিতি". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  3. 1 2 "Death toll from Bangladesh floods hits 71". Bdnews24.com . 2024-09-03. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  4. 1 2 3 "Bangladesh: Eastern Flash Floods 2024 Situation Report No. 02 (As of 30 August 2024)". OHCA (reliefweb.int). 30 Aug 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 Aug 2024. Retrieved 31 Aug 2024.
  5. ↑ "ভারত থেকে ঢুকছে পানি, বন্যায় তলিয়েছে ফেনী-কুমিল্লা অঞ্চল". BBC Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  6. ↑ Mahmud, Iftekhar (2024-08-24). "Floods: Cloudbursts from Tripura to Feni". Prothom Alo . Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  7. ↑ "উত্তরাঞ্চলেও বন্যা আতঙ্ক". Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  8. 1 2 "বন্যার মূল কারণ অল্প সময়ের মধ্যে অতি মাত্রায় ভারি বৃষ্টিপাত". Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). August 2024.
  9. ↑ "বন্যা পরিস্থিতির উন্নতি হচ্ছে". Samakal (in Bengali). 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  10. ↑ প্রতিনিধি, নোয়াখালী (25 August 2024). নোয়াখালীতে বন্যা পরিস্থিতির অবনতি, খাদ্য সংকটের সঙ্গে সাপ আতঙ্ক. Daily Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 August 2024.
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  12. ↑ জনকণ্ঠ, দৈনিক. "এবার ফারাক্কার ১০৯ গেট খুলে দিলো ভারত". Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  13. ↑ "লক্ষ্মীপুরে বন্যা পরিস্থিতির অবনতি". RTV Online (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  14. ↑ "বন্যার পানি কমতেই ভেসে উঠছে ক্ষতচিহ্ন". Jago News 24 (in Bengali). 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  15. ↑ "ফেনীতে বন্যার পরিস্থিতি আরও উন্নতি". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  16. ↑ "ভারত ফারাক্কা খুলে দিলেও নতুন কোনো এলাকা প্লাবিত হয়নি: উপদেষ্টা". ভিওএ (in Bengali). 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  17. ↑ "মনোহরগঞ্জে পানি বাড়ায় এখনো আশ্রয়কেন্দ্রে ছুটছে বানভাসিরা". jagonews24 (in Bengali). 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  18. ↑ "নোয়াখালীতে বন্যা: খাদ্যসংকটের পাশাপাশি বাড়ছে ডায়রিয়া ও সাপে কাটা রোগী". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  19. ↑ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (2024-08-29). "নোয়াখালীতে ধীরে নামছে বন্যার পানি, বেড়েছে পানিবন্দী মানুষের সংখ্যা". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  20. ↑ "Tripura Flood | Bangladesh: ভারত ছাড়ল জল! ভাসছে বাংলাদেশ..." Zee24Ghanta.com. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  21. ↑ ডেস্ক, কালবেলা. "বাঁধ খুলে দেওয়ার বিষয়ে যে ব্যাখ্যা দিল ভারত". কালবেলা | বাংলা নিউজ পেপার (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  22. ↑ "Amid Rising Tensions, India Denies Opening Dam Gates, Attributes Bangladesh Floods to Heavy Downstream Rainfall". The Wire. 2024-08-22. Archived from the original on 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  23. ↑ "Tripura dam didn't cause Bangladesh floods: India". The Hindu .
  24. ↑ "Were Bangladesh floods caused by India releasing water from dam? GoI says no". The Indian Express.
  25. ↑ "Millions in this country are stranded by flooding. Many blame their neighbor". CNN World. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  26. ↑ "India has shown 'inhumanity' by opening dam, says Nahid". The Daily Star. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  27. ↑ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (23 August 2024). "ভারত আন্তর্জাতিক আইন লঙ্ঘন করে বাঁধ খুলে দিয়েছে: বাম গণতান্ত্রিক জোট". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  28. ↑ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (22 August 2024). "স্বয়ংক্রিয়ভাবে বাঁধ খুলে গেছে, প্রধান উপদেষ্টাকে প্রণয় ভার্মা". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  29. ↑ "অন্যায়ভাবে বাঁধ নির্মাণের কারণেই দেশে বন্যা: হাফিজ". Somoy TV (in Bengali). 22 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  30. ↑ "বন্যার্তদের জন্য ২০ হাজার ডলার অনুদান চীনের". Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 26 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  31. ↑ "বাঁধ খোলার কারণে বাংলাদেশে বন্যা হয়নি, দাবি ভারতের". Kaler Kantho . 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  32. ↑ "Bangladeshi Hackers Deface India's Zee Media Website for Mocking Floods". Hackread. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  33. ↑ বাংলাদেশের বন্যা নিয়ে ভারতীয় গণমাধ্যমের কটাক্ষ!. Somoy TV (in Bengali). 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  34. ↑ ডেস্ক, আন্তর্জাতিক (23 August 2024). "বাংলাদেশে বন্যায় প্রাণহানি-ধ্বংসযজ্ঞে গভীরভাবে উদ্বিগ্ন শেহবাজ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  35. ↑ "Erdoğan, Bangladesh's Yunus discuss flood disaster, developments". Daily Sabah. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  36. ↑ "Erdogan makes phone call to Prof. Yunus". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) (in Bengali). 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  37. ↑ "UK government announces a further £450,000 in humanitarian assistance to support more than 36,000 people affected by flooding in eastern Bangladesh". GOV.UK. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  38. ↑ "Ongoing flood: UK to provide £450,000 more of humanitarian aid". The Daily Star . 29 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  39. ↑ "Palestine sends aid for Bangladesh flood victims". Somoy TV (in Bengali). 29 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  40. ↑ "Australia to donate AUD 1m for flood victims in Bangladesh: Envoy". The Business Standard. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
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