Death toll from Bangladesh floods rises to 52, over 5.5m affected

The death toll in the ongoing floods in Bangladesh has risen to 52 while over 5.5 million people have been affected by the disaster.

The details were provided in an update on the flood situation by KM Ali Reza, additional secretary for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, at 1pm on Thursday.

The death toll in the flooding hit 31 on Wednesday, while the number of affected people was 5.8 million.

At a press conference, the disaster management and relief secretary said, ““The water has trapped 1,072,579 families and the number of flood victims has reached 5,480,463.”

“In addition, 52 people have died. Of them, 39 were men, six were women and seven were children. Fourteen deaths were reported in Cumilla; one each in Khagrachhari, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur and Moulvibazar; six in Chattogram, eight in Noakhali, and three in Cox’s Bazar.”

In addition, a person remains missing in Moulvibazar.

Ali Reza said, the information received from the Sylhet District shows the flood situation has improved significantly on Thursday.

“A total of 3,403 shelters have been opened to provide refuge to 502,501 people and 36,448 heads of livestock. A total of 595 medical teams are on duty to provide treatment to those hurt in 11 districts.”

“A total of 144,100 packets of dry food, clothes and water collected by the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement have been sent to the flood-affected areas through the Directorate of Disaster Management. Round-the-clock communication between the Directorate of Disaster Management and the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement continues.”

Reza said, “The deputy commissioners of the flood-affected districts have been given the necessary instructions to coordinate with the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement; the Army, the Navy, the Fire Service and Civil Defence, medical teams and other volunteers.”