BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 4

UNCLAS DHAKA 003696 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 BGD SUBJECT: BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 4 REFERENCE: DHAKA 03572 DATED JULY 25, 2005 ¶1. Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was less active over the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and the South Eastern Hill basins last week. Light rainfall was recorded at all except one place in these three river basins. The Meghna basin experienced moderate monsoon during the same period. The overall flood situation in the country remains normal and, for the most part, not alarming. Rainfall and river level patterns over the next two weeks will be critical in determining the impact of this year's floods. The Government, local aid agencies and communities are responding to isolated incidents of flooding using local coping capacity. End Summary. ¶2. Rainfall: According to the BDG Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) report dated 31 July, 2005, almost no rainfall over the Brahmaputra basin, light rainfall at a few places over the Ganges and the South Eastern Hill basins and light to moderate rainfall at many places over the Meghna basin has been recorded. ¶3. General Rivers Condition: Yesterday, the FFWC water level monitoring stations' records, available from 71 reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations) indicated, 12 points rising, 54 points falling and 3 points remaining steady. The rivers are flowing above their respective danger levels at 2 points. These are the Padma at Bhagyakul and the Meghna at Chandpur. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma continued to fall at all points. Most of the rivers in the Meghna and the South Eastern hill basins registered further decreases. ¶4. Regional Flood Conditions: The flood situation in most north-eastern districts continues to improve. Water inundation of low-lying areas in and around Dhaka, Munshiganj and Narayanganj districts are expected to deteriorate slightly over the coming days as surrounding floodwaters settle in these low areas. Some low-lying cultivable lands are already submerged due to excessive rain. A number of communities in the north-western districts have been marooned by floodwaters and therefore evacuated to the nearest high points. ¶5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: Rainfall predictions by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department are light to normal for the first week of August. The flood situation is likely to further improve in the Brahmaputra and the Ganges basins. ¶6. Government of Bangladesh Response: BDG District-level Disaster Management Committees have started to meet with the related organizations in order to maintain a close watch over the situation, as well as to coordinate and prioritize any BDG responses. ¶7. 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