The recent catastrophic floods that swept through the Southeastern parts of Bangladesh are unlike anything witnessed in the region in the past three decades. The people of these areas are not accustomed to floods of this massive scale and suddenness, leaving them utterly unprepared; it was, for them, a true “flash” flood.
The crisis unfolded when the region experienced rainfall between 200 mm and 493 mm within three days during the third week of August 2024. This excess rainwater rushed downstream through rivers and overflow channels. The Gumti, Muhuri, and Feni river embankments breached in several places, causing extensive flooding in surrounding districts.
The upstream situation in India’s Tripura region also played a significant role. With over 500 mm of rainfall recorded there, water levels surged to unprecedented heights. The breach of the Dumboor Dam upstream of the Gumti River exacerbated the flood, severely impacting nearby communities. While residents behind the dam are accustomed to the risk of flash floods during monsoon seasons and evacuate accordingly, people in the surrounding affected districts bore the brunt of the unexpected disaster, facing overwhelming flooding and devastation.
In the haor regions, such as Sunamganj, flash floods are an annual occurrence, and local communities have adapted to them. However, the record-breaking 2022 flash flood -- unseen in 122 years -- brought unexpected devastation. At that time, power outages, mobile network disruptions, inundated highways, and a shortage of boats compounded the distress. The recent flood has revived similar fears.
The question arises: Why did not the water flow as it normally would? The answer lies in obstructed water paths; creeks have been filled or encroached upon, and roads constructed with undersized culverts impeded the flow. Consequently, water has only partially receded. In Noakhali, in particular, the water has not drained quickly enough. When floodwaters reach Noakhali, they flow toward coastal rivers, which are often full due to tides. Water cannot flow out during high tides, and only recedes for about eight hours a day during low tides, slowing the drainage process.
Previously, a large regulator in Musapur at Companiganj upazila of Noakhali, held back water, allowing it to drain gradually and preventing saltwater intrusion. However, with the regulator no longer functional, high tides bring saltwater into the region,, devastating agricultural areas. Noakhali’s water-logging issues are long-standing due to complex hydro-morphological factors. The city was built on reclaimed land from the sea, with cross-dams built on the Meghna River in 1957 and 1967 by the Water Development Board.
These facilitated the emergence of over 1,000 km square of new land, creating the foundations for modern Noakhali. But, the rise in sea level has shifted sedimentation to higher elevations, rendering the area "bowl-shaped" and susceptible to water accumulation during heavy rainfall. The drainage challenge has been an ongoing issue for the Water Development Board, which has yet to find a sustainable solution. Without the Musapur regulator and with strong currents, water will take even longer to recede. This issue calls for a long-term solution with robust expertise.
The floods caused severe destruction across sectors such as housing, infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods, WASH, health, and education, with overall damages estimated at Tk1,442.1 billion. In terms of infrastructure, responsibility is split between the Roads and Highways Department and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). One limitation of LGED’s approach is its focus on road infrastructure without sufficient attention to hydrological flow, the impacts of climate change, or adequate culvert sizing.
By collaborating with local authorities and communities, we can ensure that actions are prioritized appropriately
Consequently, water stagnates on bitumen roads, which weakens the bitumen and degrades road surfaces. The poor condition of these roads also delayed flood rescue efforts. Unlike Sunamganj, where numerous rivers allow for boat transport during floods, the Southeastern regions lack alternative routes, compounding transport challenges. The floods damaged over 15,000 km of roads, with repair costs estimated at Tk3.48 billion.
Local governments struggle to meet infrastructure rehabilitation needs, as budgets are insufficient to cover the scale of the disaster. Although the government has allocated some maintenance funds, financial support must go beyond immediate repairs to support resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding future disasters.
Nearly 340,000 houses require varying levels of repair, and resilience should be a priority in their reconstruction. The reality is that such disasters will not cease. Already in 2024, Bangladesh has seen five significant events of this kind. Climate change only exacerbates these occurrences, making it crucial to incorporate loss and damage considerations in our assessments.
Losses, such as the 71 lives lost, are irreversible. While infrastructure and crops may be restored, such irreplaceable losses highlight the importance of planning for the future. Rebuilt structures should incorporate elements that improve resilience against future floods. Vulnerable infrastructure can be modified, but new construction must prioritize sustainability and resilience, with retrofitting as an option where feasible.
At Brac, we respond swiftly to emergencies. However, rehabilitation efforts often lack adequate NGO involvement in government-led programs and advocacy. While NGOs may not have extensive financial resources, they do bring human resources -- an area where government capacity may be stretched. Collaborative efforts between government and NGOs could enable rapid progress. More coordination is needed to incorporate NGOs into rehabilitation processes effectively, and foreign aid should be channelled to both NGOs and government initiatives.
This year’s floods have severely impacted agriculture, fisheries, poultry, and livestock, with estimated losses reaching Tk458 billion. Over 259,000 hectares of cropland have been damaged, creating a potential food security crisis for countless farmers. In response, accessible financial support through crop insurance, microfinance options, and soft loans is essential for those rebuilding their livelihoods. Job creation, especially for vulnerable groups, can be supported through infrastructure repair projects and agricultural recovery initiatives.
The key lesson from this year’s flood is that rural areas were devastated, and many remain waterlogged, affecting all residents. In urban areas, too, such as Feni, the impact is universal, touching the lives of the rich, poor, healthy, and the ill alike. Swift action to address drainage and waterlogging is crucial.
Clearing obstructions from khals (natural drainage channels), excavating clogged canals, and adding more drainage openings on roads prone to flooding are effective steps. By collaborating with local authorities and communities, we can ensure that actions are prioritized appropriately. Regular maintenance will keep drainage systems functional over the long term. Improved water flow will protect vulnerable areas from future flooding. Strengthening information exchange on flooding between neighbouring countries is also vital to enhance preparedness. Warning systems and forecasting mechanisms must be bolstered to ensure resilience in future events.
Md Liakath Ali, PhD is the Director, Disaster Risk Management Program (DRMP), Urban Development Program (UDP), and Climate Change Programm (CCP) at BRAC.