US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4861

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 004861 
 
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. 12 
 
REFERENCE: DHAKA 004805 DATED SEPTEMBER 19 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 fresh 
rising at most river points in the Brahmaputra and 
Ganges basins. The Disaster Emergency Response local 
consultative sub-group (DER) reported a high tide surge 
in the Bay of Bengal that affected several coastal 
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 FFWC report dated 
September 25, 2005, the rainfall in the four river 
basins during the past few days was as follows: 
-Light rainfall at the Ganges basin 
-Light to moderate rainfall at many places over the 
Brahmaputra, the Meghna & the South Eastern Hill basins 
- Heavy rainfall at Dalia (126.0 mm),Panchgarh (75.5 
mm) and Sylhet (110.0 mm) in the Brahmaputra and Megna 
basins. 
 
3.  General River Conditions: The FFWC water level 
l 
monitoring stations records for September 25, 2005, 
available from 78 reporting stations (out of the total 
86 stations), indicated 38 stations rising, 35 stations 
falling and 5 station remaining steady. 
 
- Fresh rising at all river points except Serajganj in 
the Brahmaputra basin 
- Fresh rising at all river points except Goalundo at 
Ganges basin 
- Rising and falling in most river points at the Meghna 
and the South Eastern Hill basins 
 
4. Regional Flood Conditions: The flood situation 
continues to improve with receding water in most places 
of the country.  The DER sub-group, consisting of BDG, 
donors, UN agencies, and implementing partner 
representatives reported heavy rains from two major low 
pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal in the last week. 
As a result a high tide surge occurred in the Bay of 
Bengal and affected coastal areas.  The Bangladesh 
Government (BDG) central office of disaster management 
and local district administrations reported that nearly 
600 fishermen (from more than 54 fishing boats) were 
missing in the turbulent waves of Bay of Bengal after 
setting sail from the Potuakhali and Borguna districts 
of southern Bangladesh. Most of the fishing boats 
returned safely while some fishing boats have taken 
shelter in Sundarban forest areas. Surging waters have 
triggered cracks in river dams, washed away one hundred 
acres of shrimp farms at Borguna district and forced 
the evacuation around one hundred families to flood 
shelters and highlands. 
 
5. Rainfall/Flood Prediction: According to the 
Bangladesh Meteorological Department, light to moderate 
monsoon rainfall over Bangladesh is predicted for this 
week. It is expected that by next week the monsoon 
season will be over in Bangladesh. 
 
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 DER sub-group. A USG emergency response is not 
currently anticipated. 
CHAMMAS