United News of Bangladesh

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday (November 29) and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with a further 176 people reported missing. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws, granting him wide powers to respond to the devastation following a week of torrential rain across the island. “We have 132 confirmed dead and another 176 missing,” DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said, adding that relief efforts had been strengthened with the deployment of the army, navy and air force. Nearly 78,000 people have been displaced and are in temporary shelters, the South Asian country's disaster management center said. Read more: Over 20 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka The death toll is expected to rise. Social media posts on Saturday showed several areas affected by overnight mudslides that authorities have yet to reach. Sri Lanka has been battered by severe weather since last week. Conditions worsened Thursday, with heavy downpours that flooded homes, fields and roads and triggered landslides mainly in the tea-growing central hill country. The government closed schools and offices and postponed examinations. Most reservoirs and rivers have overflowed, blocking roads. Authorities stopped passenger trains and closed roads in many parts of the country after rocks, mud and trees fell on roads and railway tracks. By Friday, water flowing downstream from severely affected areas began to inundate areas around the capital, Colombo, which experienced comparatively less rainfall. Authorities say that Ditwah, which developed in the seas east of Sri Lanka, is likely to move toward India's southern coast by Sunday. Read more: Sri Lanka shuts schools, offices as floods and landslides kill 56 Neighboring India dispatched two search and rescue teams, comprising 80 rescuers, and sent aid to support ongoing operations, the country's embassy in Colombo said Saturday. With inputs from agencies.

Sri Lanka closed government offices and schools Friday (November 28) as the death toll from widespread floods and landslides climbed to 56, with over 600 homes reported damaged, officials said. The country has been facing severe weather since last week, which intensified Thursday (November 27) with heavy rainfall that submerged homes, farmland, and roads, and triggered landslides nationwide. At least 25 people were killed Thursday in landslides in the central mountainous tea-growing districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, roughly 300 kilometers east of the capital Colombo. In these areas, another 21 people are missing and 14 were injured, according to the government’s disaster management center. Additional fatalities occurred in landslides elsewhere in the country. As conditions worsened, the government ordered all schools and government offices to remain closed Friday. Read more: Over 20 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka Overflowing rivers and reservoirs have blocked many roads, forcing authorities to suspend passenger train services and close roadways in several regions. Landslides and floodwaters, along with fallen rocks, mud, and trees, disrupted both roads and railway lines. Local television footage showed an air force helicopter rescuing three people stranded on a flooded rooftop Thursday, while the navy and police used boats to evacuate residents. Another video showed a car swept away by floodwaters near the eastern town of Ampara, killing three passengers.

More than 20 people have died and 14 others are missing after days of heavy rain triggered landslides and flooding across Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities have suspended passenger train services and shut down several roads as severe rainfall continues to unleash deadly landslides and floods, officials reported Thursday (November 27). According to the government’s disaster management center, 18 of the confirmed deaths were in the central highland districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, well-known tea plantation areas located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Colombo. Read more: Over 220 dead as floods and landslides devastate Northwest Pakistan The center also stated that 14 people remained unaccounted for Thursday following landslides in the same region. Since last week—when the country first began experiencing the intense weather—the overall death toll has climbed to 31. Torrential rains over the weekend inundated roads, farmland, and homes, causing widespread disruption. Train services in some mountainous areas were halted after landslides sent rocks, mud, and fallen trees onto rail lines. Local television footage showed crews working to clear the debris. Several roads were also closed because of deep flooding. Roughly 4,000 families have been affected by the severe weather, officials said. Read more: Tidal waters inundate low-lying areas as embankment collapses in Khulna

Rivers in Bangladesh’s coastal and eastern districts continue to swell as heavy rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, lashes Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board’ on Wednesday said the heavy downpour is likely to continue over the next 24 hours from 6 pm with forecasts of moderate to moderately heavy rain in the following two days. Over 35 Feni villages flooded as dams collapse at 17 points The persistent rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, disrupted daily life in Dhaka and other parts of the country. According to the Met Office, Dhaka recorded 80 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours till 6pm today, while the highest rainfall during this period was 271 millimetres in another location. In Feni district, water levels in the Muhuri and Selonia rivers have crossed the danger level and the situation is expected to remain stable in the next 24 hours with a possibility of gradual improvement as water levels begin to recede, it said. However, heavy rainfall is likely in the basin over the next 24 hours followed by moderate to moderately heavy rainfall over the subsequent two days. In Chattogram district, the Halda River may rise above the danger level within the next 24 hours, which could trigger floods in low-lying areas along its banks. Water levels in the Feni, Sangu, and Gomti rivers are rising while the Matamuhuri River is currently receding, it said.. Forecasts indicate that the Gomti River may continue to rise in the next 24 hours while water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri may fall. All these rivers are likely to show a declining trend over the following two days. In Sylhet division, water levels in the Manu, Dhalai, and Khowai rivers continue to rise. The rising trend is expected to persist over the next 24 hours. The Ganges and Padma rivers are also witnessing rising trends and are expected to continue rising over the next five days, though they will likely stay below danger levels during this period. In Chattogram, a three-year-old child died after falling into an open drain amid waterlogging caused by continuous rainfall in Halishahar area on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mosammat Humaiyra. Incessant rain floods Khulna city, adjacent areas Kamrul Islam, in-charge of Agrabad Fire Station, said, “On information, our team retrieved the child after about an hour of effort. She died on the way to a hospital,” he said. In Feni, More than 35 villages in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas have been submerged following the collapse of flood control embankments at 17 points along the Muhuri, Kuhua and Silonia rivers.  The damage, caused by incessant heavy rain and surging upstream water from India, has also disrupted power supply in several areas of the district, leaving thousands of residents in the dark. The floodwaters, however, have reportedly started to recede in Feni town, many low-lying areas remain inundated, disrupting daily life.  The Muhuri and Selonia rivers in Feni district are still flowing above danger levels. Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fariha Islam said, “Flood control dams have broken in at least seven places in the upazila. As a result, 14 villages have gone underwater.” More than 150 people took shelter in shelters, dry food and cooked food were arranged for them, she said. Meanwhile, continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days submerged the Feni-Parshuram road, severing direct road communication with Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas. Besides, continuous rainfall for the past few days has left parts of Khulna city, its suburbs and adjacent upazilas near the Sundarbans submerged. Several areas, including Royal Mor, Tutpara, Mistripara, Ahsan Ahmed Road, Boyra, Mujgunni, Sonadanga, and Fulbarigate went under water in the city. Rains entered the houses of the low-lying areas of the city, causing suffering of residents. Fish enclosures, ponds, and croplands were flooded and residents were facing an acute shortage of drinking water. Flood and waterlogging triggered by rains were also reported from Bagerhat, Barguna, Bhola and Madaripur districts.

At least eighteen people died and nearly 51 lakh people were affected as floods wreaked more havoc in vast areas of 11 districts. Of the total deaths, four died in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one each in Brahmanbaria and Laxmipur and three in Cox’s Bazar districts, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said in a statement updated at 7pm on Saturday. So far, some 50,93,539 people have been affected and a total of 3,513 shelter centers have been opened where 3,01,993 people and 21,695 cattle took shelter. Meanwhile, a sum of Tk 3.52 crore has been allocated in the 11 flood-hit districts while 20,150 tonnes of rice, 15,000 packets/sacks of dry foods and baby foods and fodder worth Tk 70 lakh were allocated. A total of 769 medical teams have been kept prepared to provide medical treatment in the flood affected areas and the army personnel and district civil surgeons are providing medical services. Besides, adequate relief materials have been stocked in all districts of the country, said the ministry adding that the deputy commissioners of the flood-affected districts have been instructed to work together in coordination with the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, army, navy, medical team and other volunteers. A control room has been opened in the ministry to monitor the flood situation and a hotline number 02-55101115 was opened to provide immediate services. Advisor and Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief visited the flood affected areas to monitor the flood situation and the adviser is curently staying at Feni. Those interested in providing assistance to the victims of the recent severe floods can send the assistance to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund at the following account name and number. Account Name: 'Principal Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund', Bank: Sonali Bank Corporate Branch, Chief Adviser's Office, Account No: 0107333004093. Earlier, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Kamrul Hasan said there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the northeastern part of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 24 hours. The flood situation in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts adjacent to the Manu, Khowai and Dholai rivers is likely to improve during this period, he added. Besides, there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the southeastern part of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 24 hours.  Flood situation is expected to improve in the adjoining areas of Muhuri, Feni, Gumti and Halda rivers in Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts of the region.

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days has worsened the flood situation in Sylhet for the second time in just 20 days. Nearly seven lakh people in the Sylhet metropolitan area and throughout the district are now stranded. In the metropolitan area alone, 50,000 people across 21 wards have been affected by flooding, according to Sylhet district administration sources. Sylhet experienced the first phase of flooding on May 27, affecting approximately seven lakh people across all upazilas. The water had not fully receded when heavy rainfall and hill torrents hit again on June 15, worsening the situation by Eid day (June 17). Heavy rainfall on Eid-ul-Azha morning was briefly followed by a recession, but rain resumed from Tuesday dawn, causing significant overflows in all rivers and streams in Sylhet. On Eid day, water levels were above danger points at two river locations. By Tuesday morning, water levels at four rivers were above danger points at six locations. Sylhet mayor holds emergency meeting to address severe flooding This morning, water was flowing above danger levels at six points of three rivers.   The Water Development Board in Sylhet reported that by 9 am today, the Surma River at Kanaighat point was 91 cm above danger levels. At another point in Sylhet, it was 31 cm above the danger level. The Kushiyara River was 46 cm above danger level at Amalshid, 92 cm above at Fenchuganj and 12 cm above at Sherpur point.  According to the district administration, 675,937 people in 13 upazilas, including Sylhet metropolitan area, have been stranded till midnight. Of them, 50,000 people of 21 wards out of 42 in Sylhet metropolitan area are stranded.  A total of 627 shelter centres have been opened in the district. Of these, 80 are in the metropolitan areas. A total of 17,285 people have taken shelter in these centres. However, most people are not willing to leave their homes and go to shelters.  A total of 1,323 villages in 13 upazilas of the district have been inundated. The worst affected are: Gowainghat, Jaintapur, Golapganj, Companiganj, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, Biswanath and Osmaninagar upazilas. Sylhet grapples with fresh bout of flooding, dampening Eid celebrations across division Low-lying areas of the city are particularly hard-hit, with Shahjalal suburb completely submerged and water reaching neck level in many homes. Other severely affected areas include Jatrapur, Mendibagh, Shibganj, Raingar, Sobhanighat, Kalighat, Kamalgarh, Machimpur, Taltala, Jamtola, Kajirbazar, Madina Market, Akhaliya, and Mezortil. Several important roads in the city are also flooded. From 6 am Tuesday to 6 am Wednesday, the Sylhet Meteorological Office recorded 100 mm of rainfall and 55 mm from 6 am to 9 am today. Moreover, the Met office forecasted continuous heavy rainfall for the next three days. The district administration is actively working to rescue stranded individuals and has set up control rooms at the district collector's office and upazila executive offices to monitor the flood situation. Dedicated officers have been appointed in each upazila, and medical teams have been formed at union levels to provide health services to flood victims. If the heavy rainfall persists, the flood situation in Sylhet is expected to deteriorate further. Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibbur Rahman, accompanied by the ministry’s officials, saw the flood-hit areas from a helicopter in the morning. He is scheduled to leave Sylhet for Dhaka by this afternoon.  Water levels of Surma, Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet again above danger level

Low-lying areas of five upazilas in Sirajganj district have been inundated due to the heavy rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream — posing risk of flooding many areas. Ranjit Kumar Sarkar, sub-divisional engineer of Sirajganj Water Development Board, said the low-lying areas along the bank of the Jamuna River including Shahzadpur, Belkuchi, Kazipur, Chouhali and Sadar upazilas of the district have been flooded following the rise in river water. The water level of Jamuna increased by 39 cm, though it was flowing below the danger level on Friday, but it may rise further in the next 4-5 days due to the incessant rainfall, he said. Floodwaters kill 31 in India's Himalayan northeast after lake bursts through major dam Erosion along the river banks area has taken a serious turn already, and if the situation continues, more areas will be flooded, he added. Meanwhile, daily life of people in the district has been disrupted due to the torrential rainfall for the last couple of days. Flash floods kill at least 14 in northeastern India and leave more than 100 missing Day labourers are facing the worst, as they failed to secure work, while most locals avoided outdoor activities due to the rain. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC), as of Friday, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma rivers are in a rising trend, which may continue over the next 72 hours. Study finds more people are moving into high flood zones, increasing risk of water disasters

North-Eastern and adjoining upstream region of the country may experience short-term flood due to heavy rainfall in 48 hours since Sunday (July 02, 2023) morning, said a bulletin of Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Some rivers of this region including Surma, Old Surma, Sarigowain, Khowai, Jadukata, Someswari, Bhogai-Kangsha may rise rapidly and cause short-term flood in the adjoining low-lying areas as there is a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region during the period, it said. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Padma rivers are in steady state, while the Ganges River is in rising trend, which may continue in next 48 hours. Read: Flood crisis grips Kurigram:  thousands trapped, shortage of food-water intensifies All the major rivers in the North-Eastern region of the country are in rising trend. Due to the chance of heavy rainfall in the adjoining upstream, the Teesta, the Dharala and the Dudhkumar rivers in the Northern region may rise rapidly at times in the next 48 hours. Teesta river may cross danger level at Dalia point in the next 24 hours, said FFWC. Read: Flash flood inundates Haor areas in Kishoreganj, ferry services suspended Last year, the residents of Sylhet district experienced a devastating flood as 70 percent of the district went under floodwater while 10,000 dwelling houses were damaged, causing immense sufferings to thousands of people. Read more: Onrush of upstream water, rain trigger flood in Kurigram

Torrential rains caused flooding in western and northern Rwanda, killing at least 129 people, a public broadcaster said Wednesday. The death toll “continues to rise,” the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency said Wednesday. “This could be the highest disaster-induced death toll to be recorded in the country in the shortest period, according to available records from recent years,” the government-backed New Times newspaper reported. Also read: Turkey floods kill 10 in earthquake-affected provinces Francois Habitegeko, governor of Rwanda’s Western province, told reporters that a search for more victims was underway following heavy rain Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Strong rainstorms started last week, causing flooding and mudslides that swept away several houses across the country and left some roads inaccessible. The Rwanda Meteorology Agency has warned that more rain is coming. The government has in the past asked residents living in wetlands and other dangerous areas to relocate. The western and northern provinces and Kigali, the capital, are particularly hilly, making them vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season. The Ministry of Emergency Management reported last month that from January to April 20, weather-related disasters killed 60 people, destroyed more than 1,205 houses and damaged 2,000 hectares (around 5,000 acres) of land across Rwanda. Parts of East Africa, including Uganda’s southwest, also are seeing heavy rainfall. At least three people drowned in floods last week after a river burst its banks in the remote Ugandan district of Rukungiri.

The low-lying areas of Bhola district have been inundated due to tidal surges and heavy rainfall, caused by cyclone Sitrang, rendering over 20,000 people marooned. The affected people of the areas have been asked to take shelter in cyclone centres, said Bhola district relief and rehabilitation official Delwar Hossain. He said adequate dry foods have been prepared for the people in shelters. "Besides, 25 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 5 lakh have been allotted." Read Fisherman goes missing as trawler capsizes at Mongla port, 21 rescued Meanwhile Bhola deputy commissioner Md Towfiq Elahi Chowdhury said a total of 746 cyclone centres were kept ready to face the disaster. "Eight control rooms have been opened in seven upazilas." Besides, 13,660 volunteers as well as 76 medical teams are working at the field level. "Coast Guard rescue teams are also ready to deal with any post-disaster situation," said Lt Kazi Al Amin, media officer of BCG East Zone. Read 110 evacuated from isolated char in Bhola ahead of Sitrang landfall On Monday (October 24, 2022), Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) evacuated 110 people from Char Patila, an isolated island of Bhola. They were stranded in the middle of adverse weather conditions accompanying cyclone Sitrang.