River waters in Bangladesh are slowly receding after deadly floods, leaving 300,000 people in emergency shelters in need of aid. The recent floods have compounded the challenges for the new government that came into power after a student-led revolution.
Rescue teams, including the army, air force, and navy, are working tirelessly to assist those affected, as more than 5.2 million people have been impacted by the floods. The situation is gradually improving, with efforts focused on restoring communication in the affected areas to facilitate relief distribution and prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
The floods have also caused damage to highways and rail lines, affecting business activity in the region. Bangladesh, prone to frequent floods due to its geographical location, is among the countries most vulnerable to disasters and climate change.
The floods have not only affected Bangladesh but also caused devastation in neighboring India’s Tripura state, where more than 1.7 million people have been impacted. Amidst the disaster, tensions have risen between Dhaka and New Delhi, with India denying accusations of deliberately releasing water from an upstream dam.
With climate change altering weather patterns and increasing extreme weather events, the South Asian nation faces the ongoing challenge of managing flood-related crises and implementing necessary reforms to mitigate future disasters.
Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2024