Online Desk 

Despite advance warnings of heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides in Bangladesh's southeastern and northern regions, experts say inadequate on-the-ground preparedness has worsened damage and public suffering.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) under the Bangladesh Water Development Board, and other relevant agencies had been warning since July 1 about the risks of excessive rainfall, flooding, and landslides. However, concerns have been raised over insufficient pre-positioning of relief supplies, delayed evacuation of vulnerable communities, inadequate rescue equipment, limited deployment of medical teams, and weak coordination among local authorities.

According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, flooding has affected 59 upazilas, 334 unions, and 12 municipalities across seven districts—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. A total of 155,311 families have been stranded by floodwaters, while the number of affected people has risen to 609,411. So far, 54 people have died and 39 others have been injured due to floods, landslides, and related incidents.

Experts believe the scale of the disaster cannot be attributed solely to natural causes. They argue that inadequate preparedness, poor coordination, unplanned urban development, weak drainage systems, and delays in rescue operations have significantly increased the impact.

Climate and water resources expert Professor Ainun Nishat said weather and flood forecasts should be communicated in language that is easier for the public to understand so that people can take timely precautionary measures.

Residents of the affected districts reported that although some shelters were opened, effective efforts to evacuate people were often lacking. In some areas, shelters were not adequately prepared, while in others, medical teams and relief supplies arrived late. Many communities also faced shortages of food, safe drinking water, baby food, and essential medicines.

Government data show that the flood situation began on July 5, but the first phase of relief allocation for the seven worst-affected districts was not announced until July 12. The initial allocation included Tk 17.5 million in cash assistance and 3,250 tonnes of rice. Later, an additional Tk 28.5 million and 5,700 tonnes of rice were allocated for 57 more districts.

Disaster management experts believe the current relief allocation may not be sufficient if the crisis continues for an extended period. They also stressed the need for greater support from the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), as well as the Navy and Air Force, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Director General of the Department of Disaster Management, Rezwanur Rahman, said rescue and relief efforts are being carried out jointly by the Army, Navy, district administrations, and volunteers. Meanwhile, Disaster Management Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman Khan said many residents had been urged to move to shelters in advance, but not everyone agreed to evacuate.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has also warned of fresh short-term flooding in low-lying riverside areas across nine northern and northeastern districts within the next 24 to 48 hours. At the same time, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in the divisions of Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, and Rangpur.