Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced today that the government is prioritizing rehabilitation, relief assistance, and healthcare services for people affected by floods in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Sylhet, and other flood-hit districts. The minister made the remarks at a press conference following an inter-ministerial meeting at the Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat. The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Local Government, was attended by ministers from the ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Water Resources, along with relevant secretaries and senior officials. Important decisions were made regarding post-flood rehabilitation, assessing agricultural damage, addressing health risks, and reconstructing damaged infrastructure.
Dulu noted that severe flooding occurred in the CHT, Cox's Bazar, and Chattogram regions due to heavy rainfall, but floodwaters have begun receding in many areas. The government's immediate priority is now the swift rehabilitation of affected families. According to preliminary estimates, around 609,411 families have been affected, and 54 deaths have been confirmed, mostly due to landslides. The government has allocated Taka 1.75 crore and 3,250 metric tonnes of rice for emergency relief operations, alongside distributing dry food. Additionally, Taka 20 lakh has been allocated to each affected district from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
The supply of cooked food and dry food at shelter centers is ongoing, and the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Coast Guard have been deployed for rescue operations. Speedboats and rubber boats have also been sent by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief to assist rescue efforts. The Roads and Highways Department will repair highways and roads, while the Local Government Division will promptly repair infrastructure. The Ministry of Health has taken necessary preparations to address various health risks, including waterborne diseases, in the post-flood period. Necessary measures will also be taken to rehabilitate farmers after assessing the damage to the agricultural sector.
