Bangladesh Flood Response Update

20th September 2007 (numbers updated from 16th September)


• Though it was forecast that the capital, Dhaka would not be hit by the second phase of floods, rivers around the capital are flowing anew above the danger mark, inundating the city’s low-lying areas, causing thousands to take shelter again in government institutions.
• The flood situation in most of the northern districts have improved while flood waters are gradually receding in the north-eastern, central and south-central districts
• The floods have affected over 12 million people of 43 districts and hundreds of thousands of people had taken shelter. With the receding floods, people are returning home and there are currently over 61,500 people in 167 shelters, while there are thousands of others on embankments and roads.
• The death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 970 since flooding began in July.
• The damage to homes, educational institutions, roads, embankments, bridges and culverts have been massive
• Recently replanted paddy crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been destroyed by the flood water. Erosion has washed away large chunks of the land of many villages, even total villages.

Forecast

• According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) the rivers around the capital will continue to rise in the next 3 days.
• The water levels in the Ganges-Padma and Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers is receding and is likely to continue this trend over the next 24-72 hours.

Narrative

Country Level Update (numbers updated from 16th September)

Since Thursday 6th September floods started afresh and these have compounded the damage caused by the August floods. The flood waters are much stronger, sweeping away and damaging everything in its path. The floods have affected over 12 million people of 43 districts and hundreds of thousands of people had taken shelter. With the receding floods, people are returning home and there are currently over 61,500 people in 167 shelters, while there are thousands of others on embankments and roads. The health services directorate general said death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 970 since flooding began in July.

Though it was forecast that the capital, Dhaka would not be hit by the second phase of floods, rivers around the capital are flowing anew above the danger mark, inundating the city’s low-lying areas, causing thousands to take shelter again in government institutions. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) the rivers around the capital will continue to rise in the next 3 days.

The water level in the Ganges-Padma and Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers are receding and this is likely to continue this trend over the next 24-72 hours. The flood situation in most of the northern districts have improved while flood waters are gradually receding in the north-eastern, central and south-central districts

After the August flood waters had receded many farmers started to replant their fields however, with the September floods all of this has been for nothing. The transplanted paddy crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been inundated by the flood water. This erosion has been even more serious washing away whole villages especially in the northern districts. The destruction to infrastructure has been severe.

Emergency Interventions

Concern Worldwide Response

Concern Worldwide with its partner organisations conducted search and rescue operations and rescued 451 families from the chars and eroding riverbanks during the second phase of floods. The flood affected families were rescued with as much of their belongings as possible.

Concern Worldwide completed its previously planned relief operations on 17th September for 31,000 families in 10 of the most severely affected districts hit by floods which have devastated parts of Bangladesh last month. The districts are Kurigram, Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Bogra, Manigonj, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Rajbari. Extremely poor families – many of whom have lost what little assets they own, have been given special focus as recipients for relief packages. The relief packages consist of both food and non-food items. The relief package for each family include: 30 kg rice, 3 kg lentils (pulse), 2 litres vegetable oil, 1 kg salt, 10 packets of soya protein biscuits, 5 ORS packets and 3 pieces of soap. This operation was funded by the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO).

Another phase of relief distribution (funded by Concern Worldwide) targeting 24,500 families in the 8 districts of Tangail, Nilphamari, Sirajgonj, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Rajbari, districts was carried out between 9th and 23rd August.

Previously Concern completed a relief response to an initial 11,000 families in Sirajganj, Manikganj and Faridpur between 31st July and 9th August funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). 41.76 tons of High Energy Biscuits supplied by World Food Programme (WFP) and targeted specifically at children were distributed to 13,917 families in Faridpur, Rajbari, Shariatpur and Magura during 12-15 August.

For emergency response, Concern continues to contact different donors to ensure adequate resources to implement its overall emergency response plan. The funding received so far are from: ECHO (€500,000), Irish Aid (€441,000); JOA (about €34,000) and Credit Union (€10,000). Concern Worldwide headquarter has also launched a flood appeal to raise money to support the flood victims.

Bangladesh Flood Response Update

16th September 2007 (numbers updated from 13th September)

• Water level in the major rivers is falling and floods are gradually receding
• The flood situation in the north and north-eastern districts is improving, however in the central and south-central districts the situation has further deteriorated
• The floods have affected over 12 million people of 43 districts and hundreds of thousands of people have taken shelter on higher ground e.g embankments and roadsides as well as government buildings
• The death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 874 since flooding began in July.
• The damage to homes, educational institutions, roads, embankments, bridges and culverts have been massive
• Recently transplanted paddy crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been destroyed by the flood water. Erosion has washed away large chunks of land, even total villages.

Forecast
• According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) the flood situation in the South-central part of the country is deteriorating and is likely to continue this trend over the next 24-72 hours.
• Fear of flooding in the capital city as previously forecasted has been allayed.

Narrative

Country Level Update (numbers updated from 11th September)

Since Thursday 6th September floods have started afresh and these have compounded the damage caused by the August floods. The flood waters are much stronger, sweeping away and damaging everything in its path. The floods have affected over 12 million people in 43 districts, five more districts affected compared to August floods. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken shelter on higher ground e.g embankments and roadsides as well as government buildings.

The health services directorate general said death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 874 since flooding began in July. Patients with diarrhoea are again increasing and in Lalmonirhat district alone, 250 patients have been admitted in the last three days

After the August flood waters had receded many farmers started to replant their fields however, with the September floods all of this has been for nothing. The transplanted paddy crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been inundated by the flood water. This the erosion has been even more serious washing away whole villages especially in the northern districts. The destruction to infrastructure is severe.

Emergency Interventions

Concern Worldwide Response

Concern Worldwide with its partner organisations conducted search and rescue operations and rescued 451 families from the chars and eroding riverbanks. The flood affected families were rescued with as much of their belongings as possible.
Concern Worldwide continues its previously planned relief operations from 4th September to distribute relief to 31,000 families in 10 of the most severely affected districts hit by floods which have devastated parts of Bangladesh last month. The districts are Kurigram, Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Bogra, Manigonj, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Rajbari. The distribution in Jamalpur and Sherpur have been slightly revised due to the fresh flooding. Extremely poor families – many of whom have lost what little assets they own, have been given special focus as recipients for relief packages. The relief packages consist of both food and non-food items. The relief package for each family include: 30 kg rice, 3 kg lentils (pulse), 2 litres vegetable oil, 1 kg salt, 10 packets of soya protein biscuits, 5 ORS packets and 3 pieces of soap. This operation is being funded by the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO).

Previously Concern completed a relief response to an initial 11,000 families in Sirajganj, Manikganj and Faridpur between 31st July and 9th August funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). 41.76 tons of High Energy Biscuits supplied by World Food Programme (WFP) and targeted specifically at children were distributed to 13,917 families in Faridpur, Rajbari, Shariatpur and Magura during 12-15 August.

Another phase of relief distribution (funded by Concern Worldwide) targeting 24,500 families in the 8 districts of Tangail, Nilphamari, Sirajgonj, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Rajbari, districts was carried out between 9th and 23rd August.
For emergency response, Concern continues to contact different donors to ensure adequate resources to implement its overall emergency response plan. The funding received so far are from: ECHO (€500,000), Irish Aid (€441,000); JOA (about €34,000) and Credit Union (€10,000). Concern Worldwide headquarter has also launched a flood appeal to raise money to support the flood victims.

Bangladesh Flood Response Update

13th September 2007 (numbers updated from 11th August)


Severe flooding again since Thursday 6th September....

• The floods have further deteriorated affecting 11.3 million people I,256 upazilas of 43 districts.
• The water levels in all major rivers continue to flow above the danger mark.
• Transplanted paddy crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been inundated by the flood water. Erosion has also taken a serious turn in many places.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have taken shelter on higher ground e.g embankments and roadsides as well as government buildings.
• The health services directorate general said death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 861 since flooding began in July.
• Patients with diarrhoea are again increasing and in Lalmonirhat district alone, 250 patients have been admitted in the last three days
• Over 65,000 homes completely and over 927 thousand homes partially destroyed
• 557 educational institutions completely destroyed and 7,686 partially damaged.
• 88 km of embankments completely, 863 km partially destroyed
• 78 bridges and culverts completely and 1692 partially destroyed

Forecast
• Experts said flooding this time might take a serious turn, affecting major structures such as the Teesta Barrage in the north and the Kaptai Dam in Chittagong.
• The flooding in the south and the central areas is set to worsen, said the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Sunday.
• Experts fear that flooding this time might drag on for a longer period of time and the eastern fringe of the capital might be inundated within four or five days.
• Due to the tsunami in Sumatra, the water level in Bay of Bengal had slightly risen and this might slow down the recession of the flood waters.

Narrative

Country Level Update (numbers updated from 11th September)
Since Thursday 6th September floods have started afresh and it is feared that these will be worse than the August floods. the flood waters are much stronger, sweeping away and damaging everything in its path. The floods have further deteriorated affecting 11.3 million people I,256 upazilas of 43 districts. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken shelter on higher ground e.g embankments and roadsides as well as government buildings.

The health services directorate general said death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 861 since flooding began in July. Patients with diarrhoea are again increasing and in Lalmonirhat district alone, 250 patients have been admitted in the last three days

After the August flood waters had recede many farmers had started to replant their fields however, with the September floods all of this has been for nothing. The transplanted paddy crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been inundated by the flood water. Erosion has also taken a serious turn in many places.

The destruction to infrastructure is severe. Over 65,000 homes completely and over 927 thousand homes partially destroyed; 557 educational institutions completely destroyed and 7,686 partially damaged; 88 km of embankments completely, 863 km partially destroyed and 78 bridges and culverts completely and 1692 partially destroyed.

Other damage to the country as reported previously for the July/August floods are- 39 of the country's 64 districts in the north, centre and east were affected and over 89,000 homes completely and more than 650,000 homes partially destroyed. More than 16 million people have been badly affected by the floods which has damaged their homesteads, livelihoods and impacted on their health. Approximately 1.5 million acres of agricultural crops (seedbeds, transplanted seedlings, vegetables and standing jutes) are partially or fully damaged, with estimated value of over 150 million BDT. 532 educational institutions completely destroyed and 5,608 partially damaged and 2,817 km roads completely and 17,463 roads partially damaged.

In addition to the floods, there was a tsunami warning on the 12th as a result of the tsunami in Sumatra. Massive evacuations were carried out in the coastal areas and islands in Bangladesh, and though an increase in the water level in the Bay of Bengal was recorded, no damage was reported.

Emergency Interventions

Concern Worldwide Response
Concern Worldwide with its partner organisations again started search and rescue operations from 8th September while the waters were rising fast and washing away everything in their path. 451 families from the chars and eroding riverbanks have been rescued and taken to flood shelters. The flood affected families were rescued with as much of their belongings as possible.

Concern Worldwide continues its previously planned relief operations from 4th September to distribute relief to 31,000 families in 10 of the most severely affected districts hit by floods which have devastated parts of Bangladesh last month. The districts are Kurigram, Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Bogra, Manigonj, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Rajbari. The distribution in Jamalpur and Sherpur have been slightly revised due to the fresh flooding. Extremely poor families – many of whom have lost what little assets they own, have been given special focus as recipients for relief packages. The relief packages consist of both food and non-food items. The relief package for each family include: 30 kg rice, 3 kg lentils (pulse), 2 litres vegetable oil, 1 kg salt, 10 packets of soya protein biscuits, 5 ORS packets and 3 pieces of soap. This operation is being funded by the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO).

Previously Concern completed a relief response to an initial 11,000 families in Sirajganj, Manikganj and Faridpur between 31st July and 9th August funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). 41.76 tons of High Energy Biscuits supplied by World Food Programme (WFP) and targeted specifically at children were distributed to 13,917 families in Faridpur, Rajbari, Shariatpur and Magura during 12-15 August.

Another phase of relief distribution (funded by Concern Worldwide) targeting 24,500 families in the 8 districts of Tangail, Nilphamari, Sirajgonj, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Rajbari, districts was carried out between 9th and 23rd August.

For emergency response, Concern continues to contact different donors to ensure adequate resources to implement its overall emergency response plan. The funding received so far are from: ECHO (€500,000), Irish Aid (€441,000); JOA (about €34,000) and Credit Union (€10,000). Concern Worldwide headquarter has also launched a flood appeal to raise money to support the flood victims.

Photo

Jeba Khatun shifting the movable parts of her house to higher ground away from the rising flood waters, Boubardhan Char, Mohishkocha Union, Aditmari Upazila, Lalmonirhat District (Photo: Shehab, DRIK /Concern Sept 07.)
















Deojami village washed away by river erosion caused by the floods, Guddibari Union, Hatibandha Upazila, Lalmonirhat District (Photo: Shehab, DRIK /Concern Sept 07.)

















Afroza cooking in the doorway of her damaged house, Hatibandha Upazila, Lalmonirhat District(Photo: Shehab, DRIK /Concern Sept 07.)

















Concern’s partner NGO rescue boat taking a flood affected family and their livestock to shelter. (Photo: Shehab, DRIK /Concern Sept 07.)

















Raging flood waters rush through damaged embankment Hatibandha Upazila, Lalmonirhat District (Photo: Shehab, DRIK /Concern Sept 07.)

















Relief distribution in Shariatpur district presided by (left to right) Helen I’Anson, Concern ACD, C.H. Karim, Agriculture Advisor and Bijoy Krishna Nath (in white shirt), Regional Manager, Concern. (Photo: Mitul/Concern Sept 07.)

Bangladesh Flood Response Update

10th September 2007 (numbers updated from 19th August)


Severe Flooding Again…
• Thousands have been marooned since Thursday 6th September in fresh floods. For the second time 23 districts have been inundated.
• The security fuse of the Teesta Barrage was damaged on Friday by the sudden onrush of water, causing fresh flooding in the north, Water Development Board officials said.The prevailing flood situation in the north-eastern districts has, meanwhile, deteriorated. Flooding in the south and the central areas is set to worsen, said the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Sunday.
• The water levels in all major rivers have registered a sudden rise and continue to flow above the danger mark.
• Over 30 thousand families of the districts are seriously affected.
• Transplanted aman crop, seed beds and vegetables on vast expanse of land have been inundated by the flood water. Erosion has also taken a serious turn in many places.
• Affected people are going back from their homes to the flood shelters, government buildings and on high roads to take refuge from the new floods.
• The health services directorate general said death toll from diarrhoea, drowning, snakebite and respiratory diseases had reached 833 since flooding began in July

Forecast
• Experts said flooding this time might take a serious turn, affecting major structures such as the Teesta Barrage in the north and the Kaptai Dam in Chittagong.
• The prevailing flood situation in the north and north-eastern districts has deteriorated and flooding in the south and the central areas is set to worsen, said the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre on Sunday.
• Bangladesh meteorological Department (BMD) yesterday forecast moderate rainfall at many places over the country during next 24hrs.
• The floods are expected to get worse in the next two days before receding.
• Experts fear that flooding this time might drag on for a longer period of time and the eastern fringe of the capital might be inundated within four or five days.

Overall damage to the country as assessed by government due to August floods is as follows-
• More than 16 million people in 251 sub-districts under 39 districts have been badly affected by the floods which has damaged their homesteads, livelihoods and impacted on their health.
• Approximately 1.5 million acres of agricultural crops (seedbeds, transplanted seedlings, vegetables and standing jutes) are partially or fully damaged, with the approximate worth over 230 billion BDT.
• Fisheries worth 1.98 billion BDT and livestock worth 160 million BDT were destroyed.
• 532 educational institutions completely destroyed and 5608 partially damaged.
• 2,817 km roads completely and 17,463 roads partially damaged
• Over 89,000 homes completely and over 650,000 homes partially destroyed

Emergency Interventions

Concern Worldwide Response
Concern Worldwide with its partner organisations again started search and rescue operations from 8th September while the waters were rising fast and washing away everything in their path. 451 families from the chars and eroding riverbanks have been rescued and taken to flood shelters. The flood affected families were rescued with as much of their belongings as possible.

Concern Worldwide continues its previously planned relief operations from 4th September to distribute relief to 31,000 families in 10 of the most severely affected districts hit by floods which have devastated parts of Bangladesh last month. The districts are Kurigram, Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Bogra, Mainkgonj, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Rajbari. The distribution in Jamalpur and Sherpur have been slightly revised due to the fresh flooding. Extremely poor families – many of whom have lost what little assets they own, have been given special focus as recipients for relief packages. The relief packages consist of both food and non-food items. The relief package for each family include: 30 kg rice, 3 kg lentils (pulse), 2 litres vegetable oil, 1 kg salt, 10 packets of soya protein biscuits, 5 ORS packets and 3 pieces of soap. This operation is being funded by the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO).

Previously Concern completed a relief response to an initial 11,000 families in Sirajganj, Manikganj and Faridpur between 31st July and 9th August funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA). High Energy Biscuits supplied by World Food Programme (WFP) and targeted specifically at children were distributed to 13,916 families in Faridpur, Rajbari, Shariatpur and Magura.

Another phase of relief distribution (funded by Concern Worldwide) targeting 24,500 families in the 8 districts of Tangail, Nilphamari, Sirajgonj, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Rajbari, districts was carried out between 9th and 23rd August.

For emergency response, Concern continues to contact different donors to ensure adequate resources to implement its overall emergency response plan. The funding received so far are from: ECHO (€500,000), Irish Aid (€441,000); JOA (about €34,000) and Credit Union (€10,000). Concern Worldwide headquarter has also launched a flood appeal to raise money to support the flood victims.

Bangladesh Flood Response Update

6th September 2007 (numbers updated from 19th August)

Overall damage to the country as assessed by government is as follows-

• More than 16 million people in 251 sub-districts under 39 districts have been badly affected by the floods which has damaged their homesteads, livelihoods and impacted on their health.
• Approximately 1.5 million acres of agricultural crops (seedbeds, transplanted seedlings, vegetables and standing jutes) are partially or fully damaged, with the approximate worth over 230 billion BDT.
• Fisheries worth 1.98 billion BDT and livestock worth 160 million BDT were destroyed.
• 532 educational institutions completely destroyed and 5608 partially damaged.
• 2,817 km roads completely and 17,463 roads partially damaged
• Over 89,000 homes completely and over 650,000 homes partially destroyedFloods waters have receded and people have returned to their flood ravaged homes. Many families have lost all assets face an acute shortage of food.


Emergency Interventions


Government support

• The government has announced that they will provide every month 10kg of rice to a total of 2,981,500 extremely poor families in all the districts affected. This rice distribution was to start on 22nd August.

• In addition to the supply of rice, the government has said they will also give Taka 10, 000 (140 US $) to each of these families

• The government has made a rehabilitation budget of 20 million taka for the flood affected people

• The government Agricultural Bank will distribute 70 billion BDT to the affected farmers.

Concern Worldwide Response

Concern Worldwide continues its relief response on 4th September to distribute relief to 31,000 families in 10 of the most severely affected districts hit by floods which have devastated parts of Bangladesh last month. The districts are Kurigram, Sirajgonj, Gaibandha, Bogra, Mainkgonj, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Rajbari. Extremely poor families – many of whom have lost what little assets they own, have been given special focus as recipients for relief packages. The relief packages consist of both food and non-food items. The relief package for each family include: 30 kg rice, 3 kgs lentils (pulse), 2 litres vegetable oil, 1 kg salt, 10 packets of soya protein biscuits, 5 ORS packets and 3 pieces of soap. This operation is being funded by ECHO.

Previously Concern completed a relief response (funded by JOA) to an initial 11,000 families in Sirajganj, Manikganj and Faridpur between 31st July and 9th August. High Energy Biscuits supplied by WFP and targeted specifically at children were distributed to 13,916 families in Faridpur, Rajbari, Shariatpur and Magura. Another phase of relief (funded by Concern Worldwide) targeting 24,500 families in the 8 districts of Tangail, Nilphamari, Sirajgonj, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Rajbari, Magura districts) was carried out between 9th and 23rd August.

Concern has requested Irish Aid to fund the relief distribution for a further 15-day relief package for the above mentioned 24,500 most adversely affected families in eight districts. Other proposals submitted to fund the flood response are to Isle of Man (IOM) and to Guernsey. Concern continues to contact different donors to ensure adequate resources to implement its overall emergency response plan.