2024 flooding in Bangladesh

The 2024 flooding in Bangladesh has been described as one of the worst in decades, affecting millions of people and causing significant displacement and damage. According to reports, the flooding was primarily caused by prolonged torrential rains and water runoff from hilly regions upstream, particularly from the Indian border areas. This has led to rivers swelling beyond their danger marks, submerging homes, and devastating farmland, particularly in the Sylhet and Sunamganj regions CNN. The floods have left millions stranded, with urgent needs for food, clean water, and medical supplies. There have been claims that the flooding was exacerbated by India releasing water from the Dumbur Dam, although India has denied these allegations, attributing the situation to excessive rainfall Al Jazeera. The situation has been further complicated by the lack of timely communication between India and Bangladesh regarding river water levels, which has hindered accurate flood forecasting. The floods have also sparked anti-Indian sentiment among some affected communities, who believe that the dam release was intentional. However, experts suggest that the primary cause of the flooding is the unusual and heavy rainfall, compounded by factors such as unplanned urbanization and loss of natural drainage systems. The humanitarian impact is severe, with many people losing their homes and livelihoods, and the risk of waterborne diseases rising as floodwaters recede.