Millions of people in Bangladesh's eastern and southeastern regions are grappling with severe hardships following devastating flash floods. 

The crisis has left them in dire need of food, drinking water, and shelter. Particularly in Feni, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, and Noakhali, the situation is critical, with people desperately seeking drinking water whenever rescue workers or volunteers appear.

The flash floods have caused widespread devastation, affecting millions across multiple districts. In some areas, the scarcity of drinking water has become so severe that it has overshadowed the need for food. 

According to volunteers and rescue workers, flood victims are more desperate for water than anything else. This desperation is visible as people run towards any boat or vehicle they see, hoping for relief materials to ease their suffering.

Despite some improvement in the situation, particularly in Feni and Cumilla, where floodwaters have started to recede, the crisis is far from over. 

As the floodwaters drain from these regions, they are moving downstream, worsening conditions in areas like Noakhali. The local population remains in a state of uncertainty and fear, unsure of when or if the situation will improve.

Kamrul Hasan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, provided an update on the situation, said at least 23 people have died, and more than 5.7 million people have been stranded due to the floods. 

The death toll includes six fatalities in Cumilla, five each in Chattogram and Noakhali, three in Cox’s Bazar, and one each in Feni, Khagrachhari, Brahmanbaria, and Lakshmipur, he said, adding two people remain missing in Moulvibazar.

The water levels in major rivers across northeastern, eastern, and southeastern Bangladesh are gradually decreasing, offering some hope for relief. 

In the last 24 hours, there has been no significant rainfall in the affected districts of Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Feni, which border Tripura in India. 

Consequently, water levels in the upstream rivers have also started to decline, leading to a slow improvement in the flood situation in Feni and Cumilla.

The government is actively working to provide relief and medical services to those affected. So far, 4.69 lakh people have sought refuge in 3,834 shelters. 

The Bangladesh Army has been distributing food across Cumilla, delivering 20,000 packets on Monday alone, including 8,000 via helicopter. Medical teams have also been deployed, with four Army teams working in Cumilla and a field hospital set up in Feni to provide health services.

Further improvements in the situation are expected as water levels in rivers like the Gumti in Cumilla and the Manu, Khowai, and Dhalai in the northeastern region continue to decrease. 

However, there is still concern in some areas, particularly in Noakhali, where the flooding may worsen. A damaged sluice gate in Muchhapur, Companiganj, has caused panic, with fears that the situation could deteriorate if the structure fails.

Meanwhile, train services, which had been disrupted due to the flooding, have started to resume. Bangladesh Railway announced that the Dhaka-Chattogram route reopened on Monday, and services on the Dhaka-Sylhet route resumed on 24 August. 

The Parabat Express, temporarily suspended on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka route, is expected to return to regular operations from Wednesday, signaling a gradual return to normalcy.

BDST: 1144 HRS, AUG 27, 2024
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