Dhaka, 22/08/24 — Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across the eastern regions of Bangladesh and India. The state of Tripura in eastern India and Bangladesh's southeastern district of Comilla have been hit particularly hard. Reports indicate that the flooding has left a staggering 3 million people displaced in Bangladesh, while in Tripura, the death toll has risen to at least 10. The situation continues to worsen as rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing torrential rains.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation
A stationary low-pressure system over the Chattogram region has led to continuous rainfall across much of Bangladesh, with the system expected to bring in even more significant rain by Thursday night. The Madden-Julian Oscillation, a large-scale tropical weather pattern, is currently active over the Bay of Bengal. It is causing warm, moist air to flow towards the coast, significantly intensifying the rainfall in the region. Additionally, the position of the jet stream over Central Asia is leading to increased rainfall in both India and Bangladesh, compounding the flood situation.
Political Flooding
The flooding in Bangladesh has been exacerbated by India's sudden release of water from its reservoirs, primarily the Kushiara and Surma rivers, without providing any warnings. If they had, there would have been time to evacuate people residing in the highest danger zones, potentially saving lives and property. India has refuted claims that its reservoir releases caused the floods in Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the catchment areas of the Gumti river, which flows through India and Bangladesh, have witnessed the heaviest rains of the year over the last few days, and the flooding in Bangladesh is primarily due to waters from these large catchments downstream of the dam.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Mohammad Yunus has summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma over the unprecedented floods, with the meeting being scheduled at 4:30 p.m. Bangladesh time. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam (former student protest leader) said India behaved in an inhumane manner by releasing water without early warning.
This is not the first time a situation like this has happened. There is urgent need for improved cross-border communication and cooperation between India and Bangladesh regarding water management. As climate change continues to intensify extreme weather events, the importance of regional collaboration in disaster preparedness and response becomes increasingly critical. Experts emphasize that a joint river management system could help mitigate future flood risks and reduce the impact on vulnerable communities.
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/whats-causing-sudden-floods-bangladesh-922431
https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/madden-julian-oscillation-matters-winter
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-bangladesh-floods-issue-august-22/article68553971.ece