Network for Information, Response And Preparedness Activities on Disaster (NIRAPAD) Bangladesh Flood 2007 SitRep No. 07 Dhaka, 22 July 2007 (www.nirapad.org) FLOODS ENGULF LOW VILLAGES OF SEVERAL DISTRICTS General Situation: Thousands of people living in the low-lying areas of at least 13 districts of the country have become stranded due to incessant rainfall since the last few days and on rush of water from upstream. Flood situation may aggravate further if the heavy downpour continues in and outside country. The Surma at Kanaighat and Sunamganj the Someshwari at Durgapur, the Gumti at Comilla and Debidwar, the Muhuri at Parshuram and Khowai at Hobiganj are flowing above respective danger levels this morning. Most of the rivers in all the basins except the south eastern hill basin observed rise. The districts that experiencing floods and/or water logging are; Nilphamari Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Bogra, Sirajganj, Meherpur, Patuakhali, Feni, Comilla, Cox’sbazar, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, etc Our members from different districts informed that the water levels of the rivers are on rise and low lying areas are reeling under the rain-fed flood waters. As a result of the incessant rains and onrush, standing crops specifically seasonal vegetables and seed-bed of T-Aman damaged badly, and livelihoods of day-laborers hampered much. District-wise situation: Feni: Porsuram and Fulgazi upazilas are most affected areas by flood in Feni districts. About 30,000 people are marooned due to cracks at least 23 points on the embankment of the rivers. Both upazilas remained disconnected from the district headquarters as all the roads are submerged and hundred of people are marooned. Sirajganj: At least 65 villages in Tarash, Kazipur, Sirajganj, Belkuchi, Chowhali and Shahzadpur upzilas of Sirajganj district are inundated. Still Jamuna River is flowing under danger mark but situation will change if the water rises at the present rate. Comilla: Inhabitants of Comilla Pourashava suffering from water logging as rain is falling continuously. Gomuti River flowing above the danger level and around 200 families of Gumti embankment remains marooned. Housing units in the Char areas are reeling under flood water. A vast area of Chouddhgram upazila washed out by water as onrush of water from Tripura upstream. Patuakhali: Vast areas of Kalapara, Baufal, Dashmina and Galachipa upazilas inundated. Plying of small launches on 21 routes in the district was stopped. Downpour inundated low-lying areas of Sadar upazila. Khagrachhari: Around 2000 houses were inundated at Dighinala upazila and Merung Bazar remained disconnected with the upazila headquarters. But, flood situation is improving as rain stopped yesterday at Khagrachhari district. Municipal authority, District administration, Upazila administration stared to help the affected people through relief and makeshift shelters. Rangpur: Water level of Teesta basin falls and flood situation is improving in greater Rangpur district as flood water started receding. Kaliganj, Admitmari, Sundarganj, Rajarhat. Gangachara, Pirgacha and Kawnia upazilas. Nilphamari: About 1500 people are marooned in low-lying shoal areas of Dimla, Domar and Jaldhaka. Lalmonirhat: At least 300 households at Goddimari Union of Hatibandha are affected. Kurigram District: At least 10 villages of Chilmari upazila and 2 villages of Ulipur upazila are snowed under water. Around 250 families are now homeless as their houses are washed out by river bank erosion of Brahmahputra. This report is also available on www.nirapad.org Page 1 of 2 Network for Information, Response And Preparedness Activities on Disaster (NIRAPAD) Beside these major affected areas of the country there are many other districts affected slightly by heavy rainfall and their condition is going to be deteriorating. Such as: Bagura, Laxshmipur (Raipur Upazila), Chittagong (Satkania Upazila), Brahmanbaria (Nabinagar Upazila), Chandpur (Faridganj Upa zila), Faridpur, Pabna, Kushtia, Coxʹs Bazar (Chokoria), etc. District Upazila Name Union Name Affected Pops/Hh Feni Porshuram, Fulgazi Dhanikunda, Box 30,000 people are Mahmud, Munsirhat marooned Sirajgonj Tarash, Kazipur, Sadar, 40 unions -- Belkuchi, Chowhali, Shahzadpur Comilla Comilla Sadar, Muradnagar -- -- Patuakhali Kalapara, Dasmina, Baufal, -- -- Galachipa Kurigram Cilmari, Ulipur, Rajarhat Thanahat, Austomir Around 250 houses Rajibpur Char, Begumganj, Botia, were washed out by Raniganj, Mohanganj the river Rangpur, Gangachara, Pirgacha, Kawnia -- 1500 people are marooned Nilphamari Dimla, Domar, Jaldhaka, -- -- Gaibandha Sundarganj -- -- Lalmonirhat Hatibandha, Admitmari, Goddimari 300 families are Kaliganj marooned Noakhali Hatia -- 1 people died Companiganj Laxshmipur Raipur 10 200 acres crop lands are affected Chittagong Sathkania Keuchia, Kaliaish,Nalua More thab 1 lakh people are marooned Warning Message: Prevailing wet weather may continue more few days. According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) moderately heavy to heavy rainfall will continue another couple of days, across the country. They advised to show the Danger Signal No. 3 for the three sea ports and Danger Signal No. 2 for all river ports of the country. On the other hand, Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) warned that, Sirajganj, Bagura, Munsiganj and Manikganj will get flooded within next two to three days, if the rivers rise continuously. National Response: Emergency Meetings of Upazila Disaster Management Committees were reported from some upazilas. Regarding response, related agencies closely monitoring the situation but no significant relief work is reported in the affected areas. ------------------------------ Information sources: Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) Member Organization- NDP, RDRS, Local Elected Bodies-Ulipur and Chilmari Upazila Media reports This report is also available on www.nirapad.org Page 2 of 2 .