Millions of people marooned in India, Bangladesh floods

Authorities in India and Bangladesh struggled Monday with food and water delivery to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by floods that have swept across large swathes of the country.

The floods triggered by monsoons have also marooned millions and flooded millions of homes.

In Sylhet in northeastern Bangladesh, near the Surma River were villagers who walked through streets that were up to their knees. One man stood in the doorway to his flood shop, where top shelves were crammed full of items in an attempt to keep them above the water. Local media saidMillions of people have been left without power.

Enamur Rahman (junior minister for disaster and relief) saidSylhet is one of the worst-hit districts. Up to 100,000 people have been evacuated. About four million are marooned, the United News of Bangladesh said.

2 police officers were washed away

India’s northeastern Assam State was also hit by flooding. Two rescue officers were among the victims, and they were washed away on Sunday by floodwaters, according to state officials. said. They said700 relief camps provided shelter for around 200,000 people. All major rivers in the state had water levels above danger.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma saidMonday, his administration will use military helicopters for fuel and food transport to severely affected areas of the state.

Assam is already suffering from floods caused by torrential rains in the past weeks. The Brahmaputra River broke its banks, leaving millions of homes submerged and severed transport links.

WATCH: Parts of Asia are flooded by massive floods| Parts of Asia were submerged in massive floods:

The Brahmaputra River flows from the mountains of Tibet through India and into Bangladesh, with a nearly 800-kilometre journey through Assam.

Major roads in Bangladesh’s affected areas have been submerged and left people stranded. Many people expressed frustration that authorities have not done more locally to address the problem in Bangladesh, a country that has had a history with climate change-induced disasters.

“There’s not much to say about this situation. You can see the water right in front of your eyes. The water level has dropped a bit in the room. It used to reach my waist.” saidMuhit Ahmed, owner of a grocery store in Sylhet.

“We are in a great crisis”

Bangladesh called in soldiers on Friday to help move people, but Ahmed saidHe hasn’t yet seen one.

“We are in a terrible situation. He stated, “Neither the Sylhet City Corporation or anyone else came to inquire about us.” said. “I am trying my best to save my belongings as best I can. We don’t have the means to do anything more.

The state-run Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre saidSunday could see more flooding in the northeastern parts of Sunamganj or Sylhet. It could get worse. saidThe Teesta river, a major in northern Bangladesh, could rise to dangerous levels. It is possible that the situation could worsen in other northern areas. said.

Officials saidFloodwaters are receding in northeastern India but are threatening the central region where water flows south towards the Bay of Bengal.

Media reports saidRural villages in remote areas struggle to get water and food.

BRAC, a private non-profit group, opened a centre Monday to prepare food as part of plans to feed 5,000 families in one affected district, but the arrangements were inadequate, senior director Arinjoy Dhar said. Dhar posted an online video asking for help in providing food to flood-affected persons.

Every few years, devastating floods

Last month, Bangladesh’s northern- and northeastern regions were affected by a flash flood caused by water from India’s northeastern states. This destroyed crops and damaged homes as well as roads.

Bangladesh is mostly flat, and its low-lying areas make it ideal for flooding during monsoon season. Every few years, however, the country is subject to devastating floods that cause damage to its economy and infrastructure. Almost 28 per cent of the nation’s 160 million people live in coastal regions, according to the World Bank.

1988 was the worst year for flooding in the country. In 1998, another devastating flood inundated almost 75 per cent of the country. 2004 saw more severe flooding.

Scientists believe that climate change has made Bangladesh more vulnerable to flooding. According to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, about 17 per cent of the population will need to be relocated over the next decade or so if global warming persists at the present rate.