National
Govt begins assessment of flood damage, plans for rehabilitation of affected communities
The government has initiated the process of assessing the damage caused by recent floods, with plans to start the rehabilitation of affected individuals and communities soon, according to Farooq-e Azam Bir Pratik, Adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
In an interview with UNB, the adviser said, “We are transitioning from the relief phase to the rehabilitation phase. The damage assessment is progressing rapidly at the field level.”
He further assured that the rehabilitation process will be carried out following a proper procedure. “We will begin rehabilitation efforts as soon as the floodwaters recede. Our goal is to ensure that no one is left out,” he added.
The adviser emphasised that the interim government is committed to supporting those affected by the floods to the fullest extent. When asked about the timeline for completing the damage assessment, he responded, “We expect to finalize the assessment soon. We aim to provide accurate damage reports to facilitate the rehabilitation of all affected individuals, ensuring no one is overlooked.”
Farooq-e Azam also mentioned that the time allocated for reporting damage through the Form-D is typically three weeks, but the government has urged that this be completed within one week to expedite the process.
The adviser highlighted the determination of local authorities, saying, “When I spoke with field administrators, I observed their strong commitment to implementing the rehabilitation program without any hindrances.”
Damage Assessment and Coordination
The assessment process involves the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, the Disaster Management Department, and Project Implementation Officers (PIOs) across flood-affected areas. Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) are also collecting data on the damage.
Additionally, related ministries such as Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Land, and Water Resources are working in coordination to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
Aid for Flood Victims
The government plans to provide financial assistance to those affected by the floods, including farmers who will receive necessary agricultural tools. Homes will be rebuilt for those whose residences were destroyed, ensuring they are suitable for living. Financial aid will also be extended to poultry and livestock farmers to rebuild their farms, and they will be provided with livestock and poultry to restart their operations.
Support for Businesses
Flood-affected businesses will receive compensation, and assistance will be provided to restore shops and other establishments to help them resume operations.
Public Health and Safety
As floodwaters recede, the government is preparing for potential health issues that may arise. Medical treatment and essential medicines will be provided to affected communities to prevent disease outbreaks.
Counselling for Children
The floods have left many children in affected areas traumatized. Counselling services will be offered to help them overcome their fears, along with the provision of educational materials to support their studies.
Disaster Relief Fund and International Support
The Disaster Management and Relief Adviser has been accepting donation cheques from various organizations and individuals to aid flood victims. Donations are being received daily from 3 pm to 4 pm at the ministry.
During a meeting on 3 September with the UN Resident Coordinator, ILO Country Director, IOM Chief of Mission, and others, the adviser received assurances of support for the rehabilitation efforts.
“The UN agencies have expressed their willingness to assist in the rehabilitation process, commending the dedication and voluntary efforts of the Bangladeshi people,” Farooq-e-Azam said. “After the damage assessment, we will identify specific areas where these agencies can contribute, and they have promised full cooperation.”
He was optimistic: “Just as we have overcome the disaster with courage, aided by the general public and volunteers, I am confident that we will successfully complete the rehabilitation program.”
Flood situation update
According to KM Ali Reza, additional secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the death toll from the floods stands at 71, including 19 children. The districts most affected include Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Cox’s Bazar, and Moulvibazar, with one person still missing in Moulvibazar.
Reza reported that the flood situation has fully normalized in Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Habiganj, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, and Cox’s Bazar. Improvement is also being seen in Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur districts.
Currently, 582,155 families remain waterlogged, affecting a total of 5,024,202 people. As conditions improve, many are returning to their homes from shelters. However, 285,996 people and 31,203 livestock remain in 3,612 shelters.
At least 79 factories in Ashulia, stretching from Baipail to Zirabo, remained closed today (9 September) due to the continuing workers’ protests. Md Sarwar Alam, Superintendent of Industrial Police-1, confirmed the closures to The Business Standard.
While some factories in other parts of Ashulia operated until 11 am, law enforcement agencies, including the industrial police, army, RAB, and BGB, maintained a heavy presence to ensure security in the area.
According to sources from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), factories from 68 different companies, including major groups like Ananta, Sharmin, Hamim, and Sterling, remained closed under a “leave with pay” policy. Workers from 13 other factories, which stayed open, left without working today.
In addition, at least eight factories witnessed worker unrest within their premises. The affected factories include Mandal Knitwear, Natural Denim, Knit Composite, Radiance Jeans, Radiance Fashion, Garments Export Village, Bravo Apparels Limited, and Prince Jacquard Sweater Limited.
Workers reported that many factory owners had declared a general holiday for today, posting closure notices the night before. Others put up notices in the morning. Workers who arrived at the factories saw the notices and returned home.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, Legal Secretary of the Bangladesh Garments and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre (GWTUC), confirmed that most factories in the region, including major facilities like Hamim and Sharmin, are closed. He added that workers had attempted to block roads in the Shimultala area this morning, but joint forces successfully convinced them to leave without any violence.
Industry sources also noted that several factories, including Hamim, Sharmin, and Deco, had already announced closures. This follows the suspension of operations in at least 30 readymade garment factories in Ashulia yesterday as the protests continued. On Saturday (7 September), 17 more RMG factories in the area had declared holidays.
The protests, which began on 29 August, have seen RMG workers pushing for several demands, including the recruitment of an equal number of men and women, higher salaries and benefits, and lighter workloads.
Today, Dhaka firmly reiterated that it cannot accommodate any additional Rohingya refugees, urging nations and organizations advocating for further intake to take responsibility themselves.
“We have clearly informed the UNHCR that we cannot accept more Rohingyas,” Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated during a press briefing at the foreign ministry.
Hossain emphasized that Bangladesh has already extended significant humanitarian support, currently hosting 1.2 million Rohingyas. He noted that the UN Refugee Agency had requested Bangladesh to shelter new arrivals, but the government firmly declined.
“Those offering advice or encouraging further intake should take the Rohingyas themselves,” Hossain remarked.
He added that the government is actively working to prevent additional entries, although fully sealing the border with Myanmar poses ongoing challenges. On September 3, Hossain mentioned that around 8,000 Rohingya had recently crossed into Bangladesh, fleeing escalating violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Since August 25, 2017, Bangladesh has sheltered over one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, most arriving after Myanmar’s military crackdown, which the UN described as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing,” while other rights groups labeled it “genocide.”
Despite Myanmar’s agreement to repatriate the refugees, no Rohingya has returned in the past seven years due to concerns over their safety in Rakhine state, with two repatriation efforts failing.
This morning, Dhaka’s major roads were plagued by severe traffic congestion, leaving commuters struggling to reach their destinations, particularly during office hours.
Key areas, including Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Jahangir Gate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Banglamotor, and the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, witnessed heavy traffic build-ups. Similarly, various sections of Mirpur Road experienced prolonged gridlock.
The exit ramp of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway near the FDC remained jammed around 10 am, while the entrances and exits of Hatirjheel, located behind Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon, faced similar traffic bottlenecks.
“I left Banani DOHS at 9:20 am for the office. The Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway was completely gridlocked,” said Tasrin Tanjim, a private sector employee, while speaking to The Business Standard.
“Entering the Elevated Expressway from Banani provided brief relief, but I was stuck again at the FDC exit ramp for about 20 minutes,” she added.
Md Asif Iqbal, another commuter, shared a similar experience, reporting that he spent 20 minutes at the same exit ramp, with vehicles backed up along the elevated expressway.
