Floods Devastate Northeast India and Eastern Bangladesh
Widespread floods triggered by torrential rains have left hundreds of thousands of people stranded in northeastern India and eastern Bangladesh. The relentless downpour has led to significant devastation, with numerous deaths reported in both countries.
Death Toll and Affected Populations
In Bangladesh, which is still reeling from weeks of political instability, the death toll has risen to 13 as of Friday. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief confirmed that approximately 4.5 million people have been affected, with many regions submerged.
In India’s northeastern state of Tripura, heavy rains have caused landslides and severe flooding, forcing over 65,000 people to evacuate. Authorities have reported at least 23 deaths, and more than 450 relief camps have been established to support the affected population. The state has seen extensive damage to infrastructure, crops, and livestock.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
Rescue operations are underway, with soldiers using lifeboats to ferry stranded residents to safety. Television footage shows army personnel navigating through streets flooded with knee-deep water, while cars and buses remain marooned. The incessant rainfall over the past four days has swollen rivers, exacerbating the flooding.
Impact on Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the rising waters from Tripura have devastated districts such as Cumilla, Feni, and Noakhali. Many residents are calling for rescue, as power outages and disrupted road links have left them isolated. The floodwaters have severed travel and communication between the capital, Dhaka, and the southeastern port city of Chittagong, with key highways submerged.
Climate Change and Monsoon Patterns
While annual monsoon rains in South Asia regularly cause flooding, climate change is intensifying these events, leading to more frequent and severe weather conditions.
“It’s a catastrophic situation,” said rescue volunteer Zahed Hossain Bhuiya from Feni. “We are doing our best to save as many people as possible.”
Personal Accounts from Flood Victims
In Feni, 60-year-old shopkeeper Nur Islam reported that his home was completely submerged. “Everything is underwater,” he said, reflecting the dire situation many residents are facing.
Political Controversy and Blame
The floods have ignited a political controversy, with some Bangladeshis accusing India of worsening the situation by opening a river dam in Tripura. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs denied the claims, stating that the dam is far from the border and that the heavy rains have led to automatic releases downstream.
Shared River Systems and Future Challenges
The Gomti River, which flows through Tripura and into Bangladesh’s Cumilla district before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, remains above the danger mark, further contributing to the flooding.
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers that flow from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, making them vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events across borders. As rescue and relief efforts continue, both nations face the daunting task of rebuilding and recovering from the devastating floods.
