Torrential rains in Bangladesh have caused catastrophic landslides, killing at least nine people and displacing thousands as they seek refuge on higher ground. Police and government officials reported these developments on Wednesday in the low-lying nation.
Shelters and Displacement
As river waters continue to rise, authorities have converted schools into shelters to accommodate those forced to abandon their homes. The rising waters have stranded over a million people in northern regions, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Vulnerability and Climate Change
Bangladesh, with a population of approximately 170 million, remains one of the most susceptible countries to disasters and climate change impacts, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. The monsoon season annually brings widespread destruction, but experts note that climate change is altering weather patterns and increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Impact in Sylhet and Sunamganj
Abu Ahmed Siddique, commissioner of the northeastern Sylhet district, reported that flash floods and heavy rains have stranded around 700,000 people in Sylhet. Additionally, another 500,000 people have been affected in the neighboring Sunamganj district.
Tragedy in Cox’s Bazar
The landslides have been particularly deadly in the southeastern Cox’s Bazar district. The disaster killed eight Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and one Bangladeshi resident. Amir Jafar, a police official overseeing security in the camps, explained that these individuals were buried under mudslides triggered by heavy overnight rains.
Ongoing Threats and Evacuations
The relentless rainfall has necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of refugees from high-risk areas within the camps. Jafar noted, “They were sleeping in their shelters when heavy rains overnight triggered the landslides in five spots of the camps. They were buried under the mud.”
Rising Waters and Continuous Rain
In Sylhet, continuous rain and upstream flooding from India have submerged densely populated areas. Sheikh Russel Hasan, a senior local government official, stated that authorities have moved over 17,000 people to shelters in Sylhet alone. He warned that rivers are still rising.
Historical Context and Future Risks
The geography of Bangladesh, comprising deltas formed by the Himalayan rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra, makes it particularly prone to flooding. The floods in 2022 in Sylhet were among the worst recorded, leaving millions stranded and resulting in nearly a hundred fatalities.
Towhidul Islam, chief administrative officer of Gowainghat in Sylhet, noted a concerning rise in river levels by two centimeters (0.7 inches) within the first three hours after dawn. He cautioned, “If the rain and water level continue to increase, the situation will get worse, like in 2022.”
Conclusion
The current situation in Bangladesh underscores the urgent need for disaster preparedness and climate resilience. With the rains persisting, the nation faces significant challenges in safeguarding its population and mitigating the impacts of this natural calamity.
