In a grim development, the ongoing monsoon rains and rising river levels in Bangladesh have claimed the lives of at least 23 people, leaving more than 5.5 million individuals grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods, according to local media reports on August 26. The disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of the South Asian nation to extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change.
The Dhaka Tribune, a major Bangladeshi daily, reported that the water levels in the affected regions have started receding, offering some relief to the beleaguered population. However, the situation remains dire as aid efforts are hindered by blocked roads in remote areas, making it difficult to reach those in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine, and dry clothing.
According to Reuters, the floods have isolated numerous communities, with the situation particularly challenging in distant locations where access to basic necessities is scarce. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed that there had been no significant rainfall in areas like Kurigram’s eastern region, Feni, and Brahmanbaria in the past 24 hours.
The state-owned Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency stated that local authorities have established 3,654 shelters, accommodating approximately 415,000 people and 22,000 livestock. The government has dispatched relief funds and food supplies, deploying 748 medical teams to provide healthcare services to the affected population. The military, civil defense organizations, and local authorities are coordinating rescue and relief efforts across the灾区.
Bangladesh’s interim government chief adviser, Mohammad Yunus, addressed the nation on television, assuring that all necessary measures were being taken to help affected citizens return to their normal lives as soon as possible. The Reuters report also mentioned that some Bangladeshis had blamed the floods on the release of water from a dam in India’s Tripura state, a claim that India’s foreign ministry firmly denied on August 22. Yunus disclosed that discussions with neighboring countries had begun to devise strategies to prevent future flood disasters.
Bangladesh, consistently ranked among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, annually faces riverine floods that put around 3.5 million people at risk. Scientists attribute the intensification of such events to climate change. This year’s floods have once again underscored the need for increased preparedness and international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by extreme weather.
In a separate incident, the country is also grappling with the aftermath of a sudden outbreak of floods in several regions, leading to 22 deaths and 19 injuries. The government and aid organizations are working diligently to provide assistance to those affected, highlighting the resilience and urgency required to cope with the dual disasters.
As the nation continues to grapple with these challenges, the international community’s support and solidarity will be crucial in mitigating the suffering of the millions affected by the floods and rebuilding their lives in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
【source】http://www.chinanews.com/gj/2024/08-26/10274964.shtml
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