The death toll from severe flooding in Bangladesh has risen to 23, with approximately 1.24 million families stranded across 11 districts, officials reported on Monday. The floods, triggered by relentless monsoon rains and overflowing rivers, have left around 5.7 million people affected, many of whom are isolated and in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine, and dry clothing.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned that flooding conditions could persist if the monsoon rains continue, as water levels are receding very slowly. Despite floodwaters slowly receding, blocked roads are hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Currently, around 470,000 people have sought refuge in 3,500 shelters across the affected districts. Approximately 650 medical teams are working on the ground, supported by the army, air force, navy, and border guard in rescue and relief operations.
Vast areas remain submerged, posing a significant threat to crops if the floods continue. The agriculture ministry has expressed concerns about the long-term impact on food security.
In a 2015 analysis, the World Bank Institute estimated that 3.5 million people in Bangladesh, a country highly vulnerable to climate change, are at risk of annual river flooding. Scientists attribute the worsening of such events to climate change.
“Countries like Bangladesh, which contribute minimally to global emissions yet demonstrate extraordinary resilience, urgently need funds to address the impacts of climate change and frequent disasters,” said Farah Kabir, director of ActionAid Bangladesh.
In Noakhali, one of the worst-hit districts, 56-year-old Shukuri Begum lost her home to the floods and was forced to flee with her grandchildren to a neighbor’s house, which also became unsafe. “I have a son with physical disabilities, and we couldn’t bring him with us. We had to stack beds and leave him on top, hoping he would be safe. I don’t know what’s waiting for us,” she recounted, according to ActionAid.
