Bangladesh Floods 2024
Shelter Cluster_Eastern Floods_Shelter Damage and Needs Assessment 01102024
Since August 21, 2024, heavy monsoon rains, combined with low pressure over the Bay of Bengal and extremely heavy rainfall in the neighboring Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura, have led to a sudden rise in water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, and Halda rivers, causing a flash flood across 11 districts in Bangladesh. Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Khagrachari are the hardest-hit areas. Approximately 5.8 million people have been affected by the flooding including around 3.05 million females, 72,467 people with disability, 0.59 million infant and child (age 0-4 years), 1.77 million child and adolescent (5-19 years), 0.47 million elderly population (age 60+), 78,362 pregnant and lactating women1 . Around 4.5 million Kutcha and Jhupri houses, which are common in the affected districts, remain vulnerable to further damage and destruction. As of 11 September 2024, a total of 26,991 houses are destroyed, and 307,443 houses are partially damaged2 . In the 11 affected districts, 71 people have died, and 311,419 hectares of land have been flooded, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Rural roads, agricultural fields, and fishponds are submerged, cutting off access and livelihoods. Power outages and limited connectivity are hindering communication efforts. As of August 26, 4,624 kilometers of roads across 12 districts have been damaged, disrupting road and rail links between Dhaka and Chattogram. Over 7,000 schools are closed, impacting the education of an estimated 175,000 primary students.