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