Dhaka (AsiaNews) As every year at this time violent monsoon rains have fallen on the country causing harm to the population and loss of life. Last week the rains had already killed several people causing damages and creating difficulties for the population. Caritas Bangladesh told AsiaNews that the situation remains under control.
On Friday June 25, five people drowned in the Habiganj and Moulovi Bazar districts (100 miles or 160 km to the northeast of the capital Dhaka) bringing to six the total number of victims for last week. At least 500,000 are still trapped in their homes and isolated in their villages, but some have been able to escape on small boats.
Based on information from the Flood Forecasting Warning Center, Caritas Bangladesh announced that the situation was improving in the north-eastern districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulovi Bazar, Habiganj, Comilla, Netrokona e Kishoreganj. However, the risk of flooding in low-lying areas in and around Serajganj (northwest of the capital) was still high. The water levels of the Bramaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma are still rising. Of the 85 rivers under close monitoring, water levels have dropped in 29, whilst they have risen in 23. Of these, 6 have reached the danger level.
In Comilla district (50 miles or 80 km southeast of the capital), the government sent in the army because the Gumti river threatened to burst its banks. Early in the week, three rivers burst their banks. In many places, the rains have wiped out the harvest and destroyed roads and railway lines making it difficult to travel from Dhaka to the country's north-eastern regions. (MR)
