BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 8

UNCLAS DHAKA 004268 SIPDIS AIDAC DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER AID/W FOR MICHAEL METZLER ANE/SAA 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. 8 REFERENCE: DHAKA 04155 DATED AUGUST 22, 2005 ¶1. Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was fairly active over Bangladesh during the past week. The overall flood situation in Bangladesh is localized and within local coping capacity. The flood situation continues to improve in most areas. The flood situation of low lying areas in and around the Narayanganj District (a neighboring district of Dhaka) remained unchanged. The Bangladesh Government (BDG) and relief agencies are monitoring the situation and are in contact with key disaster partners at the field and central levels. End Summary. ¶2. Rainfall: According to the BDG Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) report dated 28 August, 2005, the rainfall in the four river basins during the past few days was as follows: -Light to moderate rainfall at many places over the Brahmaputra basin; -Light to moderately heavy rainfall at most places over the Ganges and the South Eastern Hill basins; and - Light to moderate rainfall at most places, and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, over the Meghna basin. ¶3. General River Conditions: Yesterday, the FFWC water level monitoring stations records, available from 83 83 reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations), indicated 39 stations rising, 39 stations falling and 5 stations remaining steady. Seven stations were flowing above their respective danger levels. They are: the Balu at Demera of the Narayanganj district; the Ganges- Padma at Pankha of the Chapainawabganj distrct and at Gualondo of the Rajbari district; the Ichamati at Sakra of the Satkhira district; the Surma at the Sunamganj district and at Kanaighat of the Sylhet district; and the Kangsha at Jariajanjail of the Netrokona district. ¶4. Regional Flood Conditions: The overall flood situation is improving in most places. The monsoon flooding is localized and within local coping capacity. Two upazilas (out of seven) in the Coxs Bazar district were submerged (flash flooding) due to heavy rainfall during the past days. The low lying areas in and around the Narayanganj District (a neighboring district of Dhaka),as reported in the referenced cable, were inundated during the past week. The flood situation in these areas is likely to be unchanged during the next few days. Normal flooding in the low-lying areas of the Rajbari and Munshiganj districts is likely to occur during this week. ¶5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, a fairly active monsoon over Bangladesh is predicted for this week. ¶6. Government of Bangladesh Response: BDG District- level Disaster Management Committees are monitoring the flood situation and providing assistance to the most needy. ¶7. Mission Strategy: The Mission continues to closely monitor the flood conditions through its NGO partners and the Disaster Emergency Response local consultative sub-group, consisting of BDG, donors, UN agencies, and implementing partner representatives. CHAMMAS