More than 2 million stranded, 31 dead — Rohingyas bear brunt

Almost two million people have been stranded and at least 31 deaths have been reported due to flash floods in Bangladesh. This is the second wave of floods to hit the region in less than a month. Similar floods had thrown normalcy out of gear in May. 

The eastern parts of Bangladesh are worst affected by the floods, with visuals from the Sylhet division showing inundated populations struggling for survival. In the aftermath of the floods, landslides have especially proved to be fatal for the local population. 

The floods have had a particularly devastating effect on the refugee camps inhabited by Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, in the Chattogram division. The camps, which provide accommodation for almost a million documented refugees, have been overrun by the incoming floodwaters.

Of the total 31 deaths in the Bangladesh floods this year, at least 10 Rohingya fatalities are reported from these camps. The camps are mostly situated on hilly terrain, raising the vulnerabilities of Rohingya refugees in the event of landslides. 

“People have been evacuated from low-lying areas and at least 500 people have been shifted to other relief centres,” Hasan Sarwar, head of the refugee cell for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief was quoted.

In a statement issued yesterday, on June 24, Sheldon Yett, UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) Representative to Bangladesh, said, “UNICEF is deeply concerned about the devastating flood situation unfolding in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh. Over 2,000,000 people, including over 772,000 children, are already affected by flash floods and in urgent need of assistance.”

“As waters rise, children are the most vulnerable, facing heightened risks of drowning, malnutrition, deadly waterborne diseases, the trauma of displacement, and potential abuse in overpopulated shelters,” he added.

The UNICEF statement mentioned that the rivers are flowing dangerously high, and the situation is expected to worsen over the next 24 to 48 hours.

The monsoon season in Bangladesh has just begun and will continue for another two months, raising the possibility of further floods and landslides. 

What makes Sylhet vulnerable?

Bangladesh’s Sylhet division is well known for its high precipitation as it is positioned just 60 kilometres southwards of Meghalaya’s Mawsynram which was once the geographical epithet of being the ‘wettest place on earth’. 

In the wake of the ongoing floods, the Bangladeshi press has mentioned that apart from the hilly terrain and high rainfall levels, human intervention has also made the area perilous for human habitation.

“The region experiences significant rainfall on the high grounds, which then flows down to the lowlands and river basins, our haors (wetlands). Historically, this water movement was natural. But unplanned and anthropocentric development has disrupted this balance,” a column published in the Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star stated. 

“The region’s unique topography and natural habitat have been ignored in the development process, which has led to severe consequences. The huge number of water bodies spread out like spiderwebs have largely been filled up, mostly illegally,” it added.

The article also took note of the indiscriminate cutting of the hills for development and commercial projects.

“In the high-lying region, illegal hill-cutting has been rampant, with hills often levelled completely so people can build infrastructure. This destroys the natural landscape and reduces the land’s ability to manage rainwater, leading to worse flooding,” it stated. 

Situation in Assam

Meanwhile, the situation is no better in India’s northeastern state of Assam which borders Bangladesh. At least 29 people have lost their lives due to the floods. Yesterday, Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma informed the press that 10 out of 35 districts in the state are hit by floods that have displaced more than 117,000 residents.