Bangladesh floods wreak havoc, kill 52 people

The death toll from the devastating floods sweeping across South-eastern Bangladesh has reached 52, as confirmed on Thursday.

These floods have wreaked havoc on the region for weeks, leaving millions isolated and battling the relentless waters.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry’s latest report highlights the grim reality faced by many.

“The current situation is dire, with millions cut off and struggling for survival,” an official from the ministry stated. With 21 new deaths reported on Thursday alone, the crisis continues to escalate.

The National Disaster Response Coordination Centre detailed the fatalities: Cumilla recorded 14 deaths, Feni 17, and Chattogram six. The disaster also claimed lives in Cox’s Bazar (three), Noakhali (eight), and one each in Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Khagrachhari, and Moulvibazar.

More than five million people have been affected by the floods, which have inundated 11 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, inflicting colossal damage on life, property, and agriculture. Over half a million displaced individuals, including vulnerable women and children, have sought refuge in 3,403 emergency shelters.

The floods, exacerbated by seasonal rains and an unexpected surge of water from hills across the Indian border, have left over a million people stranded in nearly a dozen south-eastern and north-eastern districts. Bangladeshi interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for urgent action, urging all involved to “rescue stranded people, provide emergency healthcare, and extend cooperation for the victims.”

In response, authorities have deployed disaster response teams to conduct rescue operations, distribute essential relief materials, and manage the centers providing refuge to those affected by this natural catastrophe. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, the focus remains on saving lives and alleviating the suffering of its people.