Floodwaters have submerged almost half of Bangladesh following days of heavy monsoon rains.
Eight million people have been affected by floods that have washed away houses and caused mudslides. Around 300 people have died so far, including several killed by snakebites.
Thirty-eight districts throughout northern and central Bangladesh are underwater. Excess water from the River Ganges Basin is now creeping into the central regions, raising the water levels further.
The eastern area of the capital, Dhaka, is already flooded and several streets in the heavily populated city are knee-deep in water.
Tens of thousands have temporarily moved to relief camps, while others are moving to higher ground. Thousands of families are sheltering on embankments, at roadsides, in school buildings, flood shelters and tower blocks.
Spread of disease
Food, medicine and clean drinking water are running out, leaving people more susceptible to waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and skin infections.
With water levels now beginning to recede from the north and north-eastern regions, waterborne diseases are spreading fast.
Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and dysentery.
Crops and Infrastructure
Large swathes of farmland have been destroyed. In the worst-affected areas 80% of rice seedlings and other crops have been ruined, raising fears that food prices will increase.
Communication systems are down in many areas, while railway tracks and bridges have been submerged or washed away entirely. Over 10,000 miles of road has been destroyed, forcing people to travel by boat across the floodwaters.
Islamic Relief in Action
Islamic Relief (IR) volunteers are participating in rescue missions in flood-affected areas across the country.
So far, IR has allocated £15,000 for an immediate emergency response. Over 2,000 families across 15 unions will be provided with food. The families will also benefit from health and hygiene awareness sessions to help curb the spread of diseases.
Working in partnership with the UN World Food Programme and UNICEF, IR is also distributing more than 10 tonnes of high-protein biscuits to five affected districts.
There is an urgent need for dry food, drinking water, rescue equipment, temporary shelters and hygiene kits.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
