13 Dead, 4.5 Million Affected As Floods Hit Bangladesh

At least 13 people have lost their lives, and an estimated 4.5 million have been affected by severe flooding in Bangladesh, triggered by relentless heavy rains, according to a statement released by the country’s disaster management and relief ministry on Friday.

The floods, which have wreaked havoc across the South Asian nation, highlight the ongoing vulnerability of Bangladesh to natural disasters. With a population of approximately 170 million people, the country is intersected by hundreds of rivers, making it particularly prone to flooding. Over the past few decades, such events have become increasingly frequent, raising concerns about the impact of climate change on the region. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Bangladesh is one of the countries most at risk from climate-related disasters.

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In its latest bulletin, the disaster ministry confirmed the extent of the devastation, stating, “4.5 million people have been affected, and 13 people have died across the country.” The situation has forced nearly 190,000 people to seek refuge in emergency relief shelters as the waters continue to rise, threatening more lives and livelihoods.

 

The bulletin further detailed that 11 out of the country’s 64 districts have been impacted by the flooding. Among the hardest-hit areas is Feni, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Chittagong, the nation’s principal port city. The situation in Feni has been described as dire, with rescue operations ongoing as volunteers and emergency services strive to reach those trapped by the floodwaters.

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Zahed Hossain Bhuiya, a 35-year-old rescue volunteer working in Feni, painted a grim picture of the situation. “It’s a catastrophic situation here,” Bhuiya told AFP. “We are trying to rescue as many people as we can.” His account underscores the severity of the crisis, as communities struggle to cope with the overwhelming impact of the floods.

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