Major Rivers flow rising: Need to take precautions to protect people

Situation Report # 10, 04 July 2021

Present Situation
Bangladesh going through its monsoon season, heavy rainfall has led to a sharp rise in water levels of the major rivers across the country. The axis of the monsoon trough runs through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal to Assam across the northern part of Bangladesh. Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay.
Causalities due to heavy rainfall from last few days
Due to the continuous rains and upstream floods, the waters of all the rivers including Dharla, Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Dudhkumar have risen and flooded vast areas in Kurigram district. This has disrupted the communication system of many areas. The vegetable fields of these areas have been submerged in the river basins.
As a result of continuous rains and rising water of Jamuna River, 110 meters of Sirajganj Shaharraksha dam has collapsed. Farmers have started cutting jute cultivated on half a hundred chars of Jamuna River.
At least 26 villages in Mymensingh’s Dhobaura and Haluaghat have been inundated due to heavy rains and the collapse of the dam. The low-lying areas of the Netrokona district have been inundated by the Magra, Kangs, Dhanu, and Someshwari Rivers due to continuous rains and hill slopes for the last three days.
Around 600 people from more than 100 families of Khayachhara union have been stranded at Mirsharai in Chittagong District. The embankment of the Muhuri River has been broken and flooded at least 10 villages in Feni, Fulgazi and Parshuram.
Landslide due to heavy rainfall
Due to the heavy rainfall from the last few days, a landslide occurred in the area between Daryanagar and Himchhari, in Cox’s Bazar. On the other hand, one under construction house has been slightly damaged due to the landslide at Sitakunda in Chittagong and three houses were destroyed and one injured due to the landslide at Kaptai in Rangamati

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Need to take some awareness initiatives
In the coming days, people of the flood-affected area may need safe shelters. During this pandemic situation following necessary steps can help to protect people:
• Ensure a healthy environment including clean latrine, safe drinking water and access to flood shelter by regular cleaning and maintaining hygiene practice.
• Provide soap water for everyone for personal hygiene in front of the shelter center.
• Use Bleaching powder to clean the surrounding area of Child-friendly Space, cyclone shelter, and keep carbolic acid to keep the snakes out of the shelters and CFS.
• Encourage everyone to cover their noses and faces using clean towels or pieces of cloth instead of using surgical masks in the shelters.

Forecast
According to Gaibandha Water Development Board there is a possibility of floods in Gaibandha district between July 8 and 10 due to continuous rains and downpour. The water level of Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers are in rising trend and may continue till 6 July. According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department and India Meteorological Department, there is chance of heavy rainfall in the Northern, North-Eastern regions of the country along with places of adjoining Sub-Himalayan West Bangal, Sikkim, Assam, & Meghalaya states of India from 4 to 6 July. The water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar Rivers of Northern Bangladesh may rise rapidly and will create flash flood situation at some places. Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Barishal & Chattogram divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka & Khulna divisions may face heavy to heavy falls said Bangladesh meteorological department.

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