Death Toll Rises in Bangladesh Flash Floods and Landslides
Pastor Dale Morgan
18 Jun 2007 15:01:00 GMT
Source: Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland
Elisabeth Gouel
*
Death Toll Rises in Bangladesh Flash Floods and Landslides*
Geneva, 18 June 2007
In June 2007, a series of landslides triggered by torrential monsoon
rains swept through areas of Chittagong, burying people under mud and
debris. A joint UNICEF-WFP assessment reports eight to nine feet high
mud in some of the worst affected areas. Reports vary, but according to
a local newspaper, Daily Star, the death toll stand at 123 on 14 June.
Water levels in most rivers in Bangladesh started to rise due to heavy
rainfall and an onrush of water from neighboring India. The northeastern
and upper portion of the southeastern part of the country is
experiencing flash flooding, which may cause the situation to
deteriorate further.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC -
www.ffwc.gov.bd), rivers in the Brahmaputra and Ganges basins are still
below the danger level. However, Someswari and Khowai at Habiganj and
Muhuri at Parsuram are flowing above danger level in Meghna and the
south-eastern hill basins respectively.
ACT member Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) reports that major
rivers in their operational area in northwest Bangladesh are still
flowing below the danger level and the situation is not yet critical.
RDRS is therefore not currently planning an intervention in their area.
However, distribution of relief items in the neighboring district of
Bogra is being considered.
ACT member KOINONIA - National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh
reports that one of their operational areas, Bandarban District, where
they have 100 schools, has been affected by the floods and mudslides.
People have been warned to move to safer areas and many have sought
shelter in schools.
The ACT members in Bangladesh are monitoring the situation and will keep
the ACT CO informed of any developments and possible needs for assistance.