At least five people have been reported dead, and more than 100,000 remain stranded as northern Bangladesh battles severe floods triggered by heavy rains and upstream torrents. The floods, which have submerged large parts of the region, are causing widespread devastation, with growing concerns over agricultural damage and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Hardest-Hit by Rising Waters
Sherpur, one of the most severely affected districts, has seen major rivers surge, displacing thousands of families and flooding vast areas of land. Roads and bridges are submerged, cutting off villages and leaving many in desperate need of rescue and relief supplies. Local authorities fear further destruction as homes are under several feet of water, and transportation in and out of the region remains nearly impossible.
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“I have never seen such flooding in my life,” said Abu Taher, a resident of Sherpur, echoing the shock felt by many.
Army personnel, aided by boats and helicopters, have joined the rescue efforts, delivering emergency supplies and evacuating those trapped by the rising waters. However, the destruction of key infrastructure, such as bridges and roads, has made it difficult for rescue teams to access many areas, exacerbating the crisis.
Agriculture at Risk of Ruin
The floods are not just a threat to human lives but also to Bangladesh’s agriculture. In a nation where rice farming is critical to both the economy and food security, the impact of this flooding on crops and farmlands is alarming. Thousands of acres of rice fields are under water, with fears that if the floods do not recede soon, the economic toll on farmers could be devastating.
Sherpur district administrator, Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman, stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Our priority is to evacuate people to safe shelters and provide them with essential supplies.”
Floods Highlight Vulnerability to Climate Change
This is not an isolated event for Bangladesh, a low-lying nation of 170 million that faces repeated floods each year. A 2015 World Bank Institute analysis estimated that 3.5 million people are at risk of annual river flooding, a number likely to increase as global climate change intensifies.
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The ongoing crisis comes just months after floods in eastern Bangladesh left more than 70 people dead and caused an estimated $1.2 billion in damage. The United Nations has since launched a $134 million humanitarian appeal to provide relief for the communities affected by both floods and cyclones across the country.