BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 12

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 004861

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, TIM ANDERSON 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. 12

REFERENCE: DHAKA 004805 DATED SEPTEMBER 19 2005


1. Summary: This cable updates the information
provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was light
to moderate over Bangladesh during the past week. The
flood situation continues to improve in most places of
the country. The Bangladesh Government Flood
Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) reports fresh
rising at most river points in the Brahmaputra and
Ganges basins. The Disaster Emergency Response local
consultative sub-group (DER) reported a high tide surge
in the Bay of Bengal that affected several coastal
areas. 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. The BDG is providing assistance on a
limited basis to the flood-affected people. End
Summary.


2. Rainfall: According to the BDG FFWC report dated
September 25, 2005, the rainfall in the four river
basins during the past few days was as follows:
-Light rainfall at the Ganges basin
-Light to moderate rainfall at many places over the
Brahmaputra, the Meghna & the South Eastern Hill basins
- Heavy rainfall at Dalia (126.0 mm),Panchgarh (75.5
mm) and Sylhet (110.0 mm) in the Brahmaputra and Megna
basins.


3. General River Conditions: The FFWC water level
l
monitoring stations records for September 25, 2005,
available from 78 reporting stations (out of the total
86 stations),indicated 38 stations rising, 35 stations
falling and 5 station remaining steady.

- Fresh rising at all river points except Serajganj in
the Brahmaputra basin
- Fresh rising at all river points except Goalundo at
Ganges basin
- Rising and falling in most river points at the Meghna
and the South Eastern Hill basins


4. Regional Flood Conditions: The flood situation
continues to improve with receding water in most places
of the country. The DER sub-group, consisting of BDG,
donors, UN agencies, and implementing partner
representatives reported heavy rains from two major low
pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal in the last week.
As a result a high tide surge occurred in the Bay of
Bengal and affected coastal areas. The Bangladesh
Government (BDG) central office of disaster management
and local district administrations reported that nearly
600 fishermen (from more than 54 fishing boats) were
missing in the turbulent waves of Bay of Bengal after
setting sail from the Potuakhali and Borguna districts
of southern Bangladesh. Most of the fishing boats
returned safely while some fishing boats have taken
shelter in Sundarban forest areas. Surging waters have
triggered cracks in river dams, washed away one hundred
acres of shrimp farms at Borguna district and forced
the evacuation around one hundred families to flood
shelters and highlands.


5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, light to moderate
monsoon rainfall over Bangladesh is predicted for this
week. It is expected that by next week the monsoon
season will be over in Bangladesh.


6. Flood Response: BDG District-level Disaster
Management Committees are monitoring the flood
situation and providing rice and cash to the most
needy.


7. Mission Strategy: The Mission continues to closely
monitor the flood conditions through its NGO partners
and the DER sub-group. A USG emergency response is not
currently anticipated.
CHAMMAS