US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4155

UNCLAS DHAKA 004155 
 
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, BGD Floods 
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 7 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 04107 DATED AUGUST 18, 2005 
 
1.  Summary:  This cable updates the information 
provided in the referenced cable. The overall flood 
situation in Bangladesh is localized and within local 
coping capacity. 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 21 August, 2005, 
light to moderate rainfall at most places, and heavy to 
very heavy rainfall at a few places, over the 
Brahmaputra, the Meghna and the South Eastern Hill 
basins were recorded during the last few days.  Light 
to moderate rainfall at most places over the Ganges 
basin has been recorded over the same period. 
 
3.  General River Conditions: Yesterday, the FFWC water 
level monitoring stations records, available from 84 
reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations), 
indicated 46 stations rising, 29 stations falling, 7 
stations remaining steady and 2 (the Balu at Demera of 
the Narayanganj district and the Kangsha at 
Jariajanjail of the Netrokona district) were flowing 
above their respective danger levels. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The overall flood 
situation is improving in most places. The monsoon 
flooding is localized and within local coping capacity. 
Five upazilas (out of seven) in the Serajganj district 
were submerged (flash flooding) due to a sudden rise of 
water level in the Jamuna River. This was due to heavy 
rainfall in the region and an increase in the flow of 
water from upstream. Flash flooding caused river bank 
erosion and affected the drainage in this region. Low- 
lying cultivable lands in some areas of the 
southeastern parts of Bangladesh have been submerged 
due to heavy rainfall. The low-lying areas in and 
around Dhaka and Narayanganj districts are likely to be 
inundated. 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, a fairly active 
monsoon over Bangladesh is predicted for this week. 
 
6. Government of Bangladesh Response:  BDG District- 
level Disaster Management Committees are monitoring the 
flood situation and providing assistance to the most 
needy. 
 
7.  Mission Strategy:  The Mission continues to closely 
monitor the flood conditions through its NGO partners 
and the Disaster Emergency Response local consultative 
sub-group, consisting of BDG, donors and implementing 
partner representatives. CHAMMAS