BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 1

UNCLAS DHAKA 003247 SIPDIS AIDAC DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER AID/W FOR CHRIS LA FARGUE, ANE/SAA (A) DESK OFFICER STATE/W FOR SA/PB DCHA/FFP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND LAUREN LANDIS ROME FOR FODAG BANGKOK FOR TOM DOLAN KATHMANDU FOR BILL BERGER, REBECCA SCHEURER E.O. 12958 TAGS: EAID BG IT TH NP IN SUBJECT: BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 1 ¶1. Summary. July and August are peak monsoon months in Bangladesh. The monsoon was moderately active during the first week of July. Currently there is no flooding in the country and the last five days have passed without measurable rainfall. All the rivers in the four river basins of Bangladesh were flowing below their respective danger levels as of July 9, 2005. End Summary. ¶2. Rainfall. According to the GOB Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) only light to moderate localized rainfall was recorded during the past three days over the Ganges, the Meghna, and the South Eastern Hill basins. Rainfall was insignificant in the same period in the Brahmaputra basin. ¶3. General Rivers Condition. Yesterday, the FFWC water level monitoring stations' records, available from 76 reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations),indicated 32 stations rising, 42 stations falling and 2 stations remaining steady during the last 24 hours. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna started falling at upstream points while the Ganges-Padma continued further rise at all but Bagyakul (near the Munshiganj district) points. The rivers in the Meghna basin continued further rise at 7 points and started falling in the remaining 8 points. The rivers in the South Eastern Hill basin registered falling levels at all points. ¶4. Rainfall/Flood Prediction. Rainfall predictions by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department are normal for the next two weeks of July and above normal during the end of July and first half of August. A heavier monsoon at the end of July is likely to cause moderate flooding in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Meghna basins. ¶5. Mission Strategy. The Mission continues to closely monitor the monsoon condition through its NGO partners and the Disaster Emergency Response local consultative sub-group, consisting of BDG, donors and implementing partner representatives. CHAMMAS