INCESSANT monsoon rain over a few days has flooded many parts of the country, leaving thousands stranded with no coordinated relief efforts. In Feni, one of the worst affected districts, the River Matamuhuri was flowing 220cm above the danger mark, submerging at least 10 villages. In Cox鈥檚 Bazar, roads, cropland and households in five upazilas went under water and about 100,000 people have been affected. The Rohingya refugees living in a precarious conditions on the hill slopes of Cox鈥檚 Bazar are stranded in knee-high water. A community leader of a Kutupalong camp has expressed concern that the heavy rainfall could cause landslide. Fish farms in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat also have suffered losses. Fisheries officials say that flooding washed away fish and fry worth Tk 6 crore from 3,550 ponds and enclosures. Vehicle movement on the Dhaka鈥揅hattogram Highway was, meanwhile, disrupted on August 2 as parts of the highway were submerged. The Meteorological Department said that the heavy rainfall might not lead to large-scale flooding, but rain would continue for few more days. The district administration in flood-affected areas should, therefore, expedite relief efforts and ensure people鈥檚 access to basic necessities.
Frequent flash floods have already showed gaps in disaster management and relief programmes, but the authorities have not proactively addressed the gaps. Government efforts have so far been limited to the food relief and, that too, not rapidly distributed. In Feni, people complain that the Matamuhuri embankment was damaged in places during the July flooding, but the administration took no initiatives for repairs. Living in constant danger of hillslide, the sufferings of the Rohingyas is unique as they are somewhat stuck in an inhuman camp situation with little to no possibility of relocation. People in other areas report a scarcity of drinking water. In addition to immediate suffering, people are also concerned about their long-term economic survival as they have suffered crop losses. The worry about their future is understandable given that flood-affected people in Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar have been in shelters since the onset of the flood in the Sylhet region on June 16, triggered by heavy rain and upstream water. Poor and marginalised people are particularly affected, facing severe challenges in managing their livelihood, repairing their damaged houses and sustenance for their family.
While the district administration in flood-affected districts and others concerned should prioritise an immediate humanitarian crisis and announce a long-term relief programme with free seed, fertiliser and food aid so that people can focus on rebuilding, the government should also review its disaster management and relief programmes, which appear to be flawed. The authorities must also consider the sufferings of the Rohingya refugees and engage with international organisations to ensure that they too have access to basic necessities.
