US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3407

UNCLAS DHAKA 003407 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER 
AID/W FOR CHRIS LA FARGUE, ANE/SAA (A) DESK OFFICER 
STATE/W FOR SA/PB 
DCHA/FFP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND LAUREN LANDIS 
ROME FOR FODAG 
BANGKOK FOR TOM DOLAN 
KATHMANDU FOR BILL BERGER, REBECCA SCHEURER 
 
E.O. 12958 
TAGS: EAID, BG, IT, TH, NP, IN, BGD Floods 
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 2 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 03247  DATED JULY 11, 2005 
 
1.  Summary: This cable updates the information provided in 
the referenced cable. The monsoon was fairly active over the 
country last week. Light to heavy rainfall was recorded at 
many places over the Brahmaputra, the Ganges, the Meghna 
basins and South Eastern Hill basin. As a result, flash 
flooding occurred in several northern districts. Low-lying 
areas in and around Dhaka, and Narayanganj districts were 
inundated. A heavier monsoon is predicted over the country 
in the second half of July. End Summary. 
 
2.  Rainfall: According to the BDG Flood Forecasting and 
Warning Center (FFWC) records as of 17 July, 2005, light to 
heavy rainfall at most places and a very heavy rainfall at 
one place over the Brahmaputra basin, light to moderately 
heavy rainfall at a few places over the Ganges basin, light 
to heavy rainfall at most places over the Meghna basin, and 
light rainfall at a few places over the South Eastern Hill 
basin were recorded during the last 24 hours. Significant 
rainfall of 96.8 mm at Kaunia, 66.0 mm at Sylhet, 60.0 mm 
each at Sheola and Moulvibazar, 56.5 mm at Chilmari, 42.8 mm 
at Rangpur and 44.2 mm at Dinajpur was recorded during the 
same period. 
 
3.  General Rivers Condition: Yesterday, the FFWC water 
level monitoring stations' records, available from 71 
reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations), indicated 
35 stations rising, 28 stations falling, 3 stations 
remaining steady and 5 stations flowing above danger level 
during the last 24 hours. The 5 stations are located the 
Dharala at Kurigram, the Korotoa at Bogra, the Balu  and 
Lakhya at Narayanganj and the Kangsha at Netrokona 
districts. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna was rising at all points 
except at Chilmari, the Ganges-Padma was falling at upstream 
points and most of the rivers in the Meghna and the South 
Eastern Hill basins were falling. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: A moderately heavy rainfall 
and onrush of water from upstream India have caused flash 
flooding at several places in the northern and north-eastern 
districts of Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, 
Sirajganj, Sherpur, Netrakona and Mymensingh. Standing crops 
and houses have reportedly been damaged by the flooding. The 
flood situation in the districts of Sunamganj and Netrokona 
was improving. Low-lying areas in and around Dhaka and 
Narayanganj district were inundated. 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction:  Rainfall predictions by the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department are above normal during 
the second half of July. The flood situation is likely to 
deteriorate in the Brahmaputra, the Meghna and some parts of 
the Ganges basins. Low-lying areas in and around Dhaka and 
Narayanganj are likely to inundate further. 
 
6. OFDA stockpile: OFDA provided four water treatment units 
and 10 zodiac boats in previous years to CARE and two water 
treatment units to Save the Children (SCF) for emergency 
response.  All water treatment units and zodiac boats are in 
good condition and ready for deployment as and when 
required. 
 
7.  OFDA Regional Advisor visit: Rebecca Scheurer, OFDA 
Regional Advisor for South Asia, has scheduled a visit to 
Dhaka from 26-28 July 2005. The purpose of OFDA Advisor's 
visit is to discuss increased collaboration among the Title 
II partners (CARE, SCF and World Vision) for the maintenance 
of OFDA's in-country stockpiles and related disaster 
management activities.  Ms. Scheurer will also brief Mission 
staff on OFDA disaster response policies and procedures. 
 
8.  Mission Strategy:  The Mission continues to closely 
monitor the monsoon condition through its NGO partners and 
the Disaster Emergency Response local consultative sub- 
group, consisting of BDG, donors and implementing partner 
representatives. 
CHAMMAS