US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4268

UNCLAS DHAKA 004268 
 
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. 8 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 04155 DATED AUGUST 22, 2005 
 
1.  Summary:  This cable updates the information 
provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was 
fairly active over Bangladesh during the past week. 
The overall flood situation in Bangladesh is localized 
and within local coping capacity. The flood situation 
continues to improve in most areas. The flood situation 
of low lying areas in and around the Narayanganj 
District (a neighboring district of Dhaka) remained 
unchanged. 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 28 August, 2005, 
the rainfall in the four river basins during the past 
few days was as follows: 
-Light to moderate rainfall at many places over the 
Brahmaputra basin; 
-Light to moderately heavy rainfall at most places 
over the Ganges and the South Eastern Hill basins; and 
-  Light to moderate rainfall at most places, and 
heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, over the 
Meghna basin. 
 
3.  General River Conditions: Yesterday, the FFWC water 
level monitoring stations records, available from 83 
83 
reporting stations (out of the total 86 stations), 
indicated 39 stations rising, 39 stations falling and 5 
stations remaining steady.  Seven stations were flowing 
above their respective danger levels.  They are: the 
Balu at Demera of the Narayanganj district; the Ganges- 
Padma at Pankha of the Chapainawabganj distrct and at 
Gualondo of the Rajbari district; the Ichamati at Sakra 
of the Satkhira district; the Surma at the Sunamganj 
district and at Kanaighat of the Sylhet district; and 
the Kangsha at Jariajanjail of the Netrokona district. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The overall flood 
situation is improving in most places. The monsoon 
flooding is localized and within local coping capacity. 
Two upazilas (out of seven) in the Coxs Bazar 
district were submerged (flash flooding) due to heavy 
rainfall during the past days. The low lying areas in 
and around the Narayanganj District (a neighboring 
district of Dhaka), as reported in the referenced 
cable, were inundated during the past week.  The 
flood situation in these areas is likely to be 
unchanged during the next few days. Normal flooding in 
the low-lying areas of the Rajbari and Munshiganj 
districts is likely to occur during this week. 
 
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, UN agencies, and 
implementing partner representatives. CHAMMAS