US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3572

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003572 
 
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 
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 3 
 
REFERENCES:    A. DHAKA 03407 DATED JULY 18, 2005 
 
               B. GKABIR/FAD E-MAIL DATED JULY 21, 2005 
 
1.  Summary: This cable updates the information provided in 
the referenced cable and e-mail. The monsoon was less active 
over the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and the South Eastern Hill 
basins last week. Light rainfall was recorded at all except 
one place in these three river basins. The Meghna basin 
experienced moderate monsoon during the same period.  The 
flood situation in the country's northern and north-eastern 
regions has improved in the past few days. The flood 
condition in the districts in and around Dhaka remained 
unchanged. A moderate monsoon is predicted over the country 
this week. The Government of Bangladesh has approved food 
grain and cash distributions for the flood victims. End 
Summary. 
 
2.  Rainfall: According to the BDG Flood Forecasting and 
Warning Center (FFWC) report dated 24th July, 2005, the 
Ganges basin recorded light rainfall at a few places and a 
moderate rainfall (38 mm) at Rajshahi, the Brahmaputra and 
the South Eastern Hill basins recorded light rainfall at all 
places, and the Meghna basin recorded moderate rainfall at 
most places during the last 24 hours. 
 
3.  General Rivers Condition: The July 24 FFWC water level 
monitoring stations' records, available from all 86 
reporting stations, indicated 35 stations rising, 38 
stations falling, 4 stations remaining steady and 9 stations 
flowing above danger level during the last 24 hours. The 9 
stations are: the Korotoa at Chakrahimpur/Bogra; the Balu at 
Demra/Narayanganj; the Padma at Goalundo/Rajbari and 
Bagyakul/Munshiganj; the Surma at Kanaighat/Sylhet; the 
Kushiara at Amalshid/Sylhet and Sheola/Sylhet; the Kangsa at 
Jariajannail/Netrokona; and the Meghna at Chandpur. The 
Brahmaputra-Jamuna was falling at all points except at 
Aricha/Manikganj. The Ganges-Padma was rising at all points 
except at Goalundo/Rajbari. The Meghna, out of the total 22 
monitoring stations, was rising at 11 locations, falling at 
9 locations, and flowing steady at 2 locations.  Most of the 
rivers in the South Eastern Hill basin were falling. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The flood situation in the 
districts of Kurigram, Nilphamary, Gaibandha, Sylhet, 
Sunamganj, and Netrokona has improved in the past few days. 
Low-lying areas in and around Dhaka, Munshiganj and 
Narayanganj districts remained unchanged. River bank erosion 
by the flood waters was reported in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna 
basin. Standing crops and houses have reportedly been 
damaged by the flooding in affected areas. 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction:  Rainfall predictions by the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department are normal for the last 
week of July. The flood situation is likely to improve in 
the Brahmaputra and the Ganges basins.  The flood situation 
at most places in the Meghna basin is likely to remain 
unchanged. Low-lying areas in and around Dhaka, Munshiganj 
and Narayanganj districts are likely to inundate further as 
the waters from the upstream rivers are flowing through the 
Meghna to the Bay of Bengal. 
 
6. Government of Bangladesh Response: According to the BDG 
Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MFDM), 50 metric 
tons (MT) of rice and Taka 100,000 (equivalent to $1,563) 
has been allocated to each of the 64 districts for use in 
case of emergency need.  In addition, the 8 flood affected 
districts each received the BDG allocation of 50 MT of rice. 
The MFDM reported that rice and cash distributions are 
ongoing from this allocation in the 8 affected districts. 
The Ministry further stated that the current BDG food grain 
stock is sufficient to meet the ongoing relief need. 
 
7.  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