UN World Food Programme Supported by Country Office Disaster Risk Reduction Unit

WFP Bangladesh Bulletin

Hazard EARLY WARNING & Humanitarian Response

Issue 27/ 2007 26 July 2007

HIGHLIGHTS

ƒ Bangladesh has had above average rain due to an active monsoon this year. Since 1st June, three rainfall peaks occurred; around 11th June, 1st July and 19th July.

ƒ Water levels in the majority of rivers are rising.

ƒ Local and seasonal floods are occurring in the Northeast and Central regions of the country, due to heavy rains during the last week.

ƒ The long-term rainfall forecast for the period August thru October is for near normal precipitation.

Rainfall Extremes and Forecast:

Season Recap: Countrywide rainfall is 35% above average for the period 1st June thru 24th July. Rainfall has been particularly heavy for the administrative Division/Province of Dhaka (+51%). Since the start of the Monsoon in early June three rainfall peaks have occurred; 11th June, 1st July, and 19 July.

Recent days: During the last 24 hours heavy rains fell within the Northeastern district of Sylhet (106 mms), and in the Southern district of Patuakhali (88 mms). The 3 day forecast (26th-28th July) shows parts of the Northwest region bordering expected to receive cumulative rainfall above 150 mms. This includes areas within Panchagarh, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts. The same forecast applies to the bordering Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of nearby Nepal and Bhutan. Similarly, heavy rains are also expected for the Indian state of Meghalaya; bordering Sylhet in the Northeast.

Note: Rainfall thresholds for potential localized flooding are 75 mms (24 hours) and 150 mms (72 hours).

Flood and River Levels:

Season Recap: During the second week of June, flash floods occurred within North and Southeast Bangladesh, and associated landslides took place in Chittagong district. As of mid July flash floods have started again. The situation is disconcerting for numerous districts in the Northeast surrounding Sunamganj and for the Central region surrounding Dhaka.

Recent days: As of the morning of the 26th July, rivers were flowing above their respective danger levels at 11 stations in the districts of Nilphamari, Sirajganj, Manikganj, Rajbari, Munshiganj, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and . The situation is of particular concern for the in Sylhet (+88 cm above danger level) and Sunamganj (+85 cm), the Someswari river in Netrokona (+220 cm) and in Comilla (+69 cm). Between the morning of the 25th and 26th July, water levels rose at 47 stations, fell at 12 stations and remained steady at 2 stations with a total of 61 stations reporting.

Cyclone, Tornadoes, Wind Storms:

Recent days: Locally devastating tornados occurred within the districts of Noakhali, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Chandpur and Lakshmipur on 25th July. At least 464 families were affected, 170 houses damaged and trees uprooted.

Humanitarian Operations and Preparedness:

Season Recap: During the month of June and July, the Government of Bangladesh total allocation for the disaster victims throughout the country was local currency equivalent of cash US$ 305,455, house reconstruction grant of US$ 178,312 and 5,353 MT of rice.

Recent days: The Government of Bangladesh has recently allocated local currency equivalent of cash US$ 1,800 and house reconstruction grant of US$ 3,900 for the districts of Kushtia, Chuadanga, Dhaka, Bandarban and Chittagong.

Data Sources: Rainfall: BMD/ Bangladesh Meteorological Department, FFWC/ Flood Forecasting and Warning Center: http://www.ffwc.gov.bd/, CPC/ Climate Prediction Center: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov, IMD/ Indian Meteorological Department: http://www.imd.gov.in River Level: FFWC/ Flood Forecasting and Warning Center: http://www.ffwc.gov.bd/ Cyclone: TSR/ Tropical Storm Risk: http://tsr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/ Localized Disaster: The Daily Star/ The Daily Ittefaq Disasters General: CDMP/ Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme Situation Report:http://www.cdmp.org.bd/Situation_report.html

Note: 1. This Bulletin is available at WFP Bangladesh website at http://bangladesh.wfp.org and LCG DER Website at http://www.lcgbangladesh.org/derweb/index.php 2. Comments on this bulletin should be sent to [email protected]

Disclaimer: The data and views expressed in this report do not represent the official position of the United Nations, the World Food Programme, nor any other United Nations member state. Page 1 of 2 WFP Bangladesh Bulletin Hazard EARLY WARNING & Humanitarian Response Issue 27/ 2007 26 July 2007

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