THE death toll from disasters caused by the latest depression from the Bay of Bengal has already climbed to 15, while the government鈥檚 disaster management and relief efforts are not visible. On June 1, landslides killed four members of a family in Sylhet and disrupted life in Moulvibazar and Khagrachhari, with all major rivers in the districts flowing above their danger marks. Sylhet has recorded the highest rain ever since the official record-keeping began in 1956. The River Teesta also rapidly swelled, inundating houses of 3,000 families and 10,000 hectares of cropland in Lalmonirhat. The Department of Disaster Management said that 259 houses were damaged in the coastal region, which also witnessed salt water gush in through damaged embankments, engulfing villages and agricultural land. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department have warned that the situation is likely to deteriorate in the next two days. It is deeply concerning that the government鈥檚 role so far is limited in observing the disaster situation and issuing warnings, particularly when flash floods from heavy rain became a cause for concern in the recent past.
Preventive efforts to minimise loss of life and public suffering from heavy rainfall should have already been in place; however, that has not been the case. In Sylhet, the government has opened 582 flood shelters but was not prompt enough to relocate people living in areas risky for landslides. Deaths from landslides in Sylhet and Khagrachari speak to the government鈥檚 inaction. Riverway accidents during heavy rainfall are also common, yet it is unclear what additional measures were in place to avoid boat capsizes. On May 31, amid strong winds and rough waves, a boat carrying passengers capsized in the Meghna River near Hatia upazila of Noakhali, killing one and leaving eight others missing. All urban centres, including Dhaka and Chattogram, reported severe water stagnation and subsequent disruption in socio-economic activities. Many gates at the Teesta barrage have been opened to lessen water pressure from upstream as India released water following heavy rain. It is time the government raised its concern about India鈥檚 tendency unilateral decisions on transboundary river water management during flood seasons.
In the prevailing situation, the government should immediately take steps to minimise loss of life and public suffering. In doing so, it should take early steps to relocate people living in areas already identified as risky for landslides and arrange transport and shelter for people living in the worst-hit Sylhet region. More important, the government should ensure emergency food and cash aid for people directly affected by the flash flood and landslide from the heavy rainfall.
