Recent heavy rains in Bangladesh and northeast India have led to severe flooding, affecting over 300,000 people in southeastern Bangladesh alone. The flooding has submerged hundreds of homes, leaving residents stranded on rooftops. In Tripura, India, at least 11 people have lost their lives, with over 64,000 seeking shelter in relief camps.
Scientists attribute the intensified weather events to the human-caused climate crisis, which has exacerbated the impact of monsoon season floods. Parts of India's northeast and eastern Bangladesh have experienced heavy rainfall, resulting in dangerous floodwaters.
As of Thursday, 11 rivers in Bangladesh have surpassed the 'danger level,' prompting urgent evacuation efforts. In Feni district, army and navy personnel, along with volunteers, are rescuing people by boat and providing shelter in relief camps set up in government buildings and high schools.
Residents like Kazi Piash have been forced to seek refuge on their rooftops, with makeshift tents to shield themselves from the rising waters. Videos circulating online show residents navigating flooded streets in canoes and swimming with their belongings through the murky waters.
Local communities living near the Gomati River in Cumilla are at risk of imminent flooding, with fears that the floodwaters may breach protective levees. Some residents have expressed concerns about the impact of water released from dams in India, attributing the flooding to their actions.
However, Indian authorities have refuted these claims, stating that the flooding was a result of heavy rainfall rather than deliberate dam releases. The Indian High Commissioner clarified that water release into Bangladesh was automatic due to high water levels, not a deliberate act.
Despite ongoing efforts to fortify levees and provide relief to affected communities, more wet weather is forecasted for the region, with additional rainfall expected over the next few days.
