US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4565

UNCLAS DHAKA 004565 
 
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, TIM ANDERSON 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. 10 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 04395 DATED SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 
 
1.  Summary:  This cable updates the information 
provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was light 
to moderate over Bangladesh during the past week. The 
flood situation continues to improve in most places of 
the country. The Bangladesh Government Flood 
Forecasting and Warning Center reports falling water 
levels in most rivers of the country during the past 
few days. Severe river bank erosion caused by flooding 
was reported in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin. 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 and a few local NGOs are 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 11, 
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, the Meghna and the South Eastern Hill 
basins; 
-Heavy rainfall at Mymensingh (57.5 mm) and Bhairab 
Bazar (52.0 mm) in the Brahmaputra basin; and 
-Light rainfall at most places at most places over 
the Ganges basin. 
 
3.  General River Conditions: The FFWC water level 
el 
monitoring stations records for September 11, 2005, 
available from 80 reporting stations (out of the total 
86 stations), indicated 22 stations rising, 56 stations 
falling and 2 stations remaining steady.  Water levels 
at two stations were flowing above their respective 
danger levels.  They are: the Balu at Demra of the 
Narayanganj District; and the Khowai at Ballah of the 
Hobiganj District. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The flood situation 
continues to improve with receding water in most places 
of the country.  The overall flood situation is not at 
the danger stage.  The monsoon flooding is localized 
and within local coping capacity.  The Disaster 
Emergency Response local consultative sub-group (DER), 
consisting of BDG, donors, UN agencies, and 
implementing partner representatives reports severe 
river bank erosion by the Teesta and the Jamuna rivers 
in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna Basin. The affected districts 
are: Kurigram; Gaibandha; Sirajganj; and Bogra. 
 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, light to moderate 
monsoon over Bangladesh is predicted for this week. 
 
6. Flood Response:  BDG District-level Disaster 
Management Committees are monitoring the flood 
situation and providing rice and cash to the most 
needy. The DER reports distribution of food by the 
local NGOs in some flood affected areas. 
 
 
 
 
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. 
 
CHAMMAS