US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4107

UNCLAS DHAKA 004107 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER 
 
AID/W FOR MICHAEL METZLER ANE/SAA 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. 6 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 03852 DATED AUGUST 08, 2005 
 
1.  Summary:  This cable updates the information 
provided in the referenced cable. The overall flood 
situation in Bangladesh is normal at present and within 
local coping capacity. Localized flood conditions are 
improving in most places. The Bangladesh Government 
(BDG) and relief agencies are monitoring the situation 
and are in contact with key disaster partners at the 
field and central levels. End Summary. 
 
2.  Rainfall: According to the BDG Flood Forecasting 
and Warning Center (FFWC) report dated 14 August, 2005, 
light to moderate rainfall at a few places over the 
Brahmaputra, the Ganges and the Meghna basins was 
recorded. Light to moderate rainfall at most places and 
a very heavy rainfall at one place (Panchpukuria/ 
Chittagong district) over the South Eastern Hill basin 
have also been recorded. 
 
3.  General River Conditions: Yesterday, the FFWC water 
level monitoring stations records, available from 78 
reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations), 
indicated 33 stations rising, 41 stations falling, 3 
stations remaining steady and 1 station (the Kangsha at 
Jariajanjail/Netrokona district) flowing above danger 
level. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions:  The overall flood 
situation in the country is normal for this time of the 
year and localized flood conditions are improving in 
most places. Last week, in the northern part of 
Bangladesh, some villages in Nilphamari district were 
submerged due to a large release of water from upstream 
in India. According to FFWC, the flash flood situation 
is expected to improve further this week. Low-lying 
cultivable lands in some areas of southeastern 
Bangladesh have been submerged due to excessive rain. 
The low-lying areas in and around Dhaka, Munshiganj and 
Narayanganj districts remain unchanged and not a cause 
for concern. 
 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: This week, according to 
the Indian Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall is 
forecast over the Indian northeastern states of West 
Bengal and Sikkim. This might cause flooding in south- 
west and northern parts of Bangladesh. 
 
6. Government of Bangladesh Response:  BDG District- 
level Disaster Management Committees are monitoring the 
flood situation and prioritizing and coordinating the 
BDG response as needed. 
 
7.  Mission Strategy:  The Mission continues to closely 
monitor the monsoon conditions through its NGO partners 
and the Disaster Emergency Response local consultative 
sub-group, consisting of the BDG, donor and 
implementing partner representatives. CHAMMAS