Rescue Efforts in Flood-Hit Bangladesh Amid Anti-Indian Sentiment
Ekramul Haque, a resident of southeastern Bangladesh’s Feni district, rushed back to his flooded village amidst heavy rain to find knee-deep water had already soaked everything. The flood, caused by relentless monsoon rains, has killed 23 people and affected over 5.7 million, leaving 1.24 million families stranded and in need of relief supplies.
Haque, with friends, formed a team to deliver aid to those stranded in his village, Chhagalnaiya Upazila. However, blocked roads forced them to hire a boat at a high cost to reach the affected areas. As floodwaters recede, the need for food, clean water, and medications is urgent, especially in remote villages like Haque’s.
Residents in flood-affected districts near the Indian border, including Feni, Cumilla, and Lakshmipur, blame India for releasing water from the Dumbur Dam in Tripura without warning. India has denied these claims, citing excessive rainfall as the cause of the flooding.
Experts attribute the severe flooding in the region to unusual rainfall, disrupted river flow, and the loss of natural drainage systems due to unplanned urbanization and illegal encroachments. As a result, houses, farmland, and livelihoods have been devastated, leaving many uncertain about their future.
Anti-Indian sentiment is growing among flood victims, exacerbating an already dire situation. With thousands in need of assistance, timely warnings, accurate information sharing, and coordinated relief efforts are essential to address the aftermath of the devastating floods in Bangladesh.
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