Bangladesh braces for monsoon floods, putting hundreds of thousands at risk

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said water levels in many rivers were rising, posing threats to flood protection embankments that could burst

In parts of the north, major rivers, including the Teesta and the Dharla, have flooded due to heavy rainfall upstream in India

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A villager walks with his cattle through floodwaters in Assam, India, north of Bangladesh, which is now at severe risk of flooding. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:34pm, 28 Jun 2020Updated: 7:36pm, 28 Jun 2020

With the monsoon setting in and waters from India rushing downstream, Bangladesh is facing a serious threat of floods that could cause extensive damage to farmlands across the delta nation’s vast northern regions, officials said on Sunday.

The country’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said water levels in many rivers were continuing to rise, posing threats to flood protection embankments that could burst, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people in more than 20 districts.

Abdur Rahim, a disaster management official in northern Sirajganj district, said about 50,000 families have already been affected after the Jamuna River swelled.

“If the waters continue to rise, many areas will go underwater,” he said. “The signs are not good.”

Villagers travel on boats to cross floodwaters in Assam, India, north of Bangladesh. Photo: AFP

In other parts of the north, water levels in some major rivers, including the Teesta and the Dharla, have risen due to heavy rainfall in the last few days, inundating many areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.