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CRISIS IMPACT OVERVIEW
On 20 August 2024, heavy monsoon rains, alongside a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, caused widespread flooding in eastern Bangladesh, increasing the water levels in Dhalai, Feni, Gomti, Halda, Khoai, Manu, Muhuri, and Surma-Kushiara Rivers (Reuters 26/08/2024; ECHO 30/08/2024; Crisis24 22/08/2024; CARE 31/08/2024).
By 27 August, the flooding, considered the worst in Bangladesh in three decades, had affected more than 5.8 million people and left more than 1.2 million people stranded without relief, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) (ECHO 30/08/2024; UNICEF 30/08/2024; DT 27/08/2024 a). Sylhet and Chattogram divisions had been the most affected, with the floods reaching 545 municipalities across 74 upazilas (subdistricts) in 11 districts (Brahmanbaria, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Cumilla, Feni, Habiganj, Khagrachari, Lakshmipur, Moulvibazar, Noakhali, and Sylhet). Reports indicate that the flooding has killed 52 people (17 in Feni, 14 in Cumilla, 8 in Noakhali, 6 in Chittagong, 3 in Cox’s Bazar, and 1 each in Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, Moulvibazar, and Lakshmipur (MODMR 27/08/2024; DT 27/08/2024 a). The number of casualties is likely higher than reported as the flooding continues to impede access, rescue operations, and data collection. By 30 August, the flooding had also inundated close to 296,900 hectares of farmland in the affected districts (OCHA/UNCT Bangladesh 30/08/2024).
The release of water from the Dumbur dam in India, which the Indian authorities claim was a consequence of the high water levels in the dam, has significantly worsened the floods by substantially increasing river water levels in Bangladesh (CNN 22/08/2024; New Age 28/08/2024). Until 30 August, around 502,500 displaced people were sheltering in 3,403 evacuation shelters in the affected districts, with needs including food, clean water, dry clothes, and water purification tablets (ECHO 30/08/2024; CARE 22/08/2024; DT 27/08/2024 b).