The government has shifted its flood response from emergency rescue to rehabilitation after days of torrential rain left 56 people dead and affected more than 609,000 families across eight districts, with authorities prioritizing the restoration of livelihoods, infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced the government's recovery plan at a press briefing on Tuesday following an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat.
"The water has started receding in many affected areas. Rescue operations have largely been completed, and our foremost priority now is the rehabilitation of the affected people," Dulu said.
The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Local Government, was attended by advisers and senior officials from the ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Water Resources, along with secretaries and representatives of relevant government agencies.
Participants reviewed the flood situation and adopted decisions on post-disaster rehabilitation, agricultural damage assessment, public health preparedness, and the restoration of damaged infrastructure.
According to official data, the floods affected 59 upazilas, 368 unions, and 12 municipalities across eight districts, including Chittagong, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar, and Sylhet.
A preliminary assessment shows that 609,411 families have been affected. The government has so far confirmed 54 deaths, with most victims killed in landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the hilly southeastern districts.
Describing the disaster as one of the worst floods to hit the greater Chittagong region in recent years, Dulu said the government had maintained continuous monitoring since the onset of the crisis.
He said the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the Bangladesh Coast Guard were deployed immediately after the floods to rescue stranded residents and provide emergency assistance.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief also sent speedboats and inflatable boats to inaccessible areas to strengthen rescue operations.
Cooked meals and dry food continue to be distributed at shelters where displaced people remain housed.
Officials also said the state minister responsible for the power sector has been stationed in the affected region to monitor the situation and oversee efforts to restore electricity services.
To support immediate humanitarian assistance, the government has allocated Tk1.75 crore in cash and 3,250 metric tonnes of rice for flood-hit districts. Dry food has also been supplied to affected communities, while shelters continue to receive cooked meals for displaced families.
In addition, the Prime Minister's Relief Fund has allocated Tk20 lakh for each affected district, enabling local administrations to respond more quickly to emergency needs. Officials said relief distribution would continue until the situation normalizes.
With floodwaters gradually receding in several districts, the government has begun implementing a coordinated rehabilitation program involving multiple ministries.
The Ministry of Agriculture has launched field-level assessments to determine the extent of crop losses and prepare rehabilitation support for farmers.
The Ministry of Food will continue its Food Friendly Program to ensure food security for vulnerable households in flood-affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has stepped up preparations to prevent outbreaks of diarrhea, waterborne diseases, and other post-flood illnesses through emergency medical services, medicine supplies, and safe drinking water initiatives.
The Ministry of Water Resources has also begun assessing damage to embankments and water management infrastructure while preparing repair and restoration work.
Dulu said all relevant agencies have been instructed to begin repairing damaged infrastructure as quickly as possible.
The Roads and Highways Department will restore highways and roads under its jurisdiction, while the Local Government Division will repair damaged local roads and other public infrastructure.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will also use its Food for Work and Cash for Work programs to rebuild rural earthen roads while creating temporary employment opportunities for affected residents.
Dulu said the disaster response has been receiving close attention from the prime minister.
According to the minister, the prime minister has held several meetings with relevant ministries, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners, directing all agencies to coordinate relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts.
He also announced that, following the prime minister's instructions, he would begin visiting flood-affected districts from Wednesday, starting with Chittagong, to oversee rehabilitation activities and assess the situation on the ground.
"Our responsibility does not end with distributing relief," Dulu said.
"Our goal is to help affected families return to normal life by restoring agriculture, repairing infrastructure, ensuring healthcare services, and implementing sustainable rehabilitation measures."
