US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4805

UNCLAS DHAKA 004805 
 
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. 11 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 04565 DATED SEPTEMBER 12 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 (FFWC) reports falling 
water levels in most rivers of the country during the 
past few days. Severe river bank erosion caused by 
flooding has been 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 is providing assistance on a 
limited basis to the flood-affected people.  End 
Summary. 
 
2.  Rainfall: According to the BDG FFWC report dated 
September 18, 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 Ganges & the South Eastern Hill 
basins 
- no rainfall over the Meghna basin 
 
3.  General River Conditions: The FFWC water level 
monitoring stations records for September 18, 2005, 
available from 82 reporting stations (out of the total 
86 stations), indicated 15 stations rising, 66 stations 
s 
falling and 1 station remaining steady. 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The flood situation 
continues to improve with receding water in most places 
of the country.  The Disaster Emergency Response local 
consultative sub-group (DER), consisting of BDG, 
donors, UN agencies, and implementing partner 
representatives have reported 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. However, the overall 
flood situation is not at the danger stage.  The 
monsoon flooding is localized and within local coping 
capacity. 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, light to moderate 
monsoon rainfall 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. 
 
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. A USG emergency response is not currently 
anticipated. 
 
CHAMMAS