Millions Desperate to Survive Deadly Monsoon Floods

DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 16, 2004 (ENS) - Some five million people in Bangladesh have been displaced or otherwise affected by the pouring monsoon rains that officials and aid workers say are the worst in 20 years. Eastern India and Nepal are inundated as well. Rains have persisted across the region since mid-June, displacing a total of 21.5 million people.

More than 150 people have died due to monsoon flooding and landslides in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC).

Swollen with torrential rains, South Asia's largest rivers - the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Jamuna - are overflowing as they run through Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh police say 40 people died, including four children, when the Jamuna River burst through an embankment in the northwestern district of Bogra and hit villages, sweeping people from their beds.

Flood victims in Bangladesh (Photo courtesy SDNP)

Rehman said one major priority is providing clean water to people displaced by the floods, especially children, in order to help prevent outbreaks of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases.

The first consignment of one million water purification tablets from UNICEF's Supply Division in Copenhagen is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday.

The government of Bangladesh has announced that rice and biscuits will be provided to affected populations, along with financial relief.

To deal with the threat of disease, the Bangladesh Red Crescent has 10 mobile medical teams on standby.

Tony Maryon, head of the Bangladesh IFRC delegation says the monsoon devastation is just beginning. “We haven’t seen the worst – this is just the start.," he said.

The monsoon is been described as heavier and earlier than usual, especially in northeastern India and Bangladesh, the IFRC says.

“The early intensity of the monsoon and flooding has been surprising," said Maryon. "There would usually be a six to seven week buildup through to August.”

Maryon says food distribution is essential to saving the lives of those whose rice paddies are under water. "Many people will have no work and income for the next three months until the next crop. The feedback from our people in the field is that most communities only have enough food for the next seven to 10 days.”

Indian flood victims request medical care (Photo courtesy SDNP)

The boat was carrying around 50 people, and 15 swam to safety, but the others were submerged in the rapidly moving river, police said.

The Indian Red Cross state branch is carrying out an extensive relief operation, deploying 60 boats for rescue along with distribution of food and non-food items. The armed forces are working to augment relief and rescue operations.

Jessie Kgoroeadira, acting director of the coordinating office of the aid group Action by Churches Together (ACT) has issued an appeal for $587,000 for monsoon relief in India.

The serious flooding has surpassed "all previous records in terms of damage to infrastructure, livestock, crops and other property and assets in Assam and Bihar," she wrote in her appeal. "Thousands have lost their belongings in the swirling flood waters and are faced with scarcity of shelter, food and clothing."