Authorities have intensified public awareness campaigns, emergency messaging and safety advisories as flooding continues to affect southeastern and northeastern districts, while conditions have started improving in several areas.
The Bangladesh government said on Sunday, July 19, that response efforts remain underway to address the impact of flash floods, landslides and hill collapses in the country’s southeastern and northeastern districts, while conditions have begun to improve in several affected areas.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said district and upazila information offices under the Department of Mass Communication, along with the Department of Information’s regional offices, have continued public awareness campaigns in disaster-hit areas. The latest situation reports from the offices outlined conditions across the affected districts and the measures being taken.
According to the Chattogram Regional Information Office and the Chattogram District Information Office, local cautionary signal No. 3 has been advised based on the weather forecast. Floodwaters have inundated all 15 upazilas of Chattogram district, including Chattogram city.
The district information office has been broadcasting emergency messages on the postponement of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations because of the flooding. It has also continued public awareness campaigns and loudspeaker announcements advising people to avoid unsafe homes damaged by floods and heavy rainfall, follow health guidelines, prevent snakebite incidents, ensure the safety of children, women, older people and persons with disabilities, avoid financial transactions when receiving relief assistance and stay away from electric poles and power lines to prevent accidents.
In Khagrachhari district, there has been no rainfall and no new incidents of landslides or hill collapses have been reported. Floodwaters have receded in most areas, although normal conditions have not yet returned. The district information office has been disseminating awareness messages on landslides, floods and post-flood precautions since the onset of heavy rainfall.
According to the report, Cox’s Bazar municipality and 74 unions were affected by flooding. The overall flood situation has improved. The district recorded 58 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours and no new landslides or hill collapses have been reported. The district information office has continued awareness campaigns and loudspeaker announcements on landslides, floods and post-flood safety measures since the beginning of the heavy rains.
The report said the situation in Rangamati district is currently normal. Since the onset of heavy rainfall, the Rangamati District Information Office has continued roadside awareness campaigns urging residents in areas at risk of landslides to move to safer locations.
The latest information from Bandarban district indicates that the disaster situation is now normal. The district recorded 30 millimetres of rainfall over the past 24 hours. Water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers are flowing below danger levels and floodwaters have receded. People are returning to their homes from emergency shelters. The district information office has continued awareness campaigns and film screenings on landslides, floods and post-flood safety since the start of the heavy rainfall.
According to the Sylhet Regional Information Office and the district information offices of Sunamganj and Habiganj, Sylhet district received 29 millimetres of rainfall over the past 24 hours. Rising rainfall has caused water levels in the Surma, Kushiyara, Sari-Gowain and Piyain rivers to increase. Although the Surma River remains below the danger level, the Kushiyara River is flowing above the danger level at the Fenchuganj point.
The report said there is no risk of new inundation or major or prolonged flooding, although some low-lying riverside areas are experiencing short-term flooding.
In Sunamganj district, the overall flood situation remains stable, although river water levels have started to rise because of increased rainfall. The Kushiyara River is flowing above the danger level at the Markuli point.
In Habiganj district, the overall flood situation also remains stable, with rivers flowing below danger levels and no risk of new flooding. Habiganj Sadar, Bahubal and Baniachang upazilas were among three upazilas affected by flash flooding caused by erosion along the Khoai River. Water levels have begun to fall in flooded areas as rainfall has decreased. The district recorded 4.50 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours and no landslides were reported. The district information office continues its public awareness activities.
According to the report, the overall flood situation in Moulvibazar district remains stable. The Manu River is flowing below the danger level. Flooding has affected 15 unions and erosion has occurred along a river protection embankment in Kamalganj upazila. Flood conditions are steadily improving in five unions of Moulvibazar Sadar upazila. The district information office has continued awareness campaigns during and after the floods.
