US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4395

UNCLAS DHAKA 004395 
 
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. 
9 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 04268 DATED AUGUST 29, 2005 
 
1.  Summary:  This cable updates the information 
provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was 
moderately active over Bangladesh during the past 
week. The overall flood situation in Bangladesh is 
not at the alarm stage. The flood situation 
continues to improve in most areas. 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. The BDG is 
providing assistance on a limited basis to the 
flood-affected people.  End Summary. 
 
 
2.  Rainfall: According to the BDG Flood Forecasting 
and Warning Center (FFWC) report dated September 4, 
2005, the rainfall in the four river basins during 
the past few days was as follows: 
- Light to moderately heavy rainfall at many 
places, and a heavy rainfall at Dalia (53 mm) over 
the Brahmaputra basin; 
- Light rainfall at most places, and a very heavy 
rainfall at Panchagarh (123 mm) over the Ganges; and 
- Light to moderately heavy rainfall at most places 
over the Meghna and the South Eastern Hill basins. 
 
3.  General River Conditions: Yesterday, the FFWC 
water level monitoring stations records, available 
from 71 reporting stations (out of the total 86 
stations), indicated 23 stations rising, 44 stations 
falling and 4 stations remaining steady.  Five 
stations were flowing above their respective danger 
levels.  They are: the Jamuna at Aricha and the 
Kaliganga at Taraghat of the Manikganj District; the 
Ganges-Padma at Goalundo of the Rajbari District and 
at Bagyakul of the Munshiganj District; and the 
lower-Meghna at the Chandpur District. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The overall flood 
situation is not at the alarm stage. The monsoon 
flooding is localized and within local coping 
capacity. The flood situation in the districts of 
Manikganj, Chandpur and Narayanganj remained 
unchanged during the past few days. The flood 
situation in these areas is likely to be unchanged 
during the next few days.  The flood situation 
continues to improve in the Munshiganj Rajbari and 
Cox  Bazar districts. 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, a moderately 
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 rice and cash 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