Alert

Bangladesh - 1/2007

Death Toll Rises in Flash Floods and Landslides

Geneva, 14 June 2007

On 11 June 2007, a series of landslides triggered by torrential monsoon rains swept through areas of Chittagong, burying people under mud and debris. A joint UNICEF-WFP assessment reports eight to nine feet high mud in some of the worst affected areas. Reports vary, but according to a local newspaper, Daily Star, the death toll stand at 123 on 14 June.

Water levels in most rivers in Bangladesh started to rise due to heavy rainfall and an onrush of water from neighboring India. The northeastern and upper portion of the southeastern part of the country is experiencing flash flooding, which may cause the situation to deteriorate further.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC - www.ffwc.gov.bd), rivers in the Brahmaputra and Ganges basins are still below the danger level. However, Someswari and Khowai at Habiganj and Muhuri at Parsuram are flowing above danger level in Meghna and the south-eastern hill basins respectively.

ACT member Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) reports that major rivers in their operational area in northwest Bangladesh are still flowing below the danger level and the situation is not yet critical. RDRS is therefore not currently planning an intervention in their area. However, distribution of relief items in the neighboring district of Bogra is being considered.

ACT member KOINONIA - National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh reports that one of their operational areas, Bandarban District, where they have 100 schools, has been affected by the floods and mudslides. People have been warned to move to safer areas and many have sought shelter in schools.

The ACT members in Bangladesh are monitoring the situation and will keep the ACT CO informed of any developments and possible needs for assistance.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.