Flood in Bangladesh has caused widespread devastation and human suffering

Since August 21, heavy rains have occurred in Tripura, India and the neighbouring districts of Bangladesh. Despite the challenges, the communities have shown remarkable resilience. The Gomti river water has crossed 70cm above the danger level, creating a difficult situation in the settlements on both sides of the river. Continuous rains have led to waterlogging in various districts and villages of the country, with several areas of Sylhet being flooded. The Indian government has opened the Dambur hydroelectric project in Tripura, the state of India. Consequently, various districts of Bangladesh, including Feni, Comilla, and Lakshmipur, are suffering from heavy floods.

Several NGO foundations and university students have stepped up to help during the flood crisis. They are actively using social media platforms, including Facebook, to raise funds and organize the distribution of essential supplies such as speedboats, life jackets, food, and water. As of the latest report, the SANJIDA Foundation has established 78 shelter homes in the Feni region, providing refuge to approximately 5000 people. However, there are still around 1.5 million individuals in need of assistance. The Bangladesh army is working tirelessly to aid flood victims, with 10 helicopters from the Bangladesh Air Force participating in rescue efforts. Additionally, expatriate helicopters are contributing to the rescue missions without any charge.

Students are protesting at Dhaka University in protest of the demand for a fair accounting of Bangladesh’s international water with India and the opening of the Dambur and Galjdoba dams. On August 21, students sat in protest in front of the Raju sculpture of the university. They sit in a short meeting. On the morning of August 22, students of the college held a demonstration in front of the gate of Dhaka College.

The flooding of shared rivers between India and Bangladesh is not just a problem for both countries, but also a significant issue that underscores the importance of India-Bangladesh relationship. The solution to this problem requires close mutual cooperation. The shared river water is a crucial part of the India-Bangladesh inter-island relationship, as India and Bangladesh jointly share 54 trans-boundary waters. This relationship, and the issues it faces, are of paramount importance and require careful consideration and action.

Tags: Bangladesh Flood