“Early warning from neighboring country could have minimized flood damages”

“Our neighboring country did not issue any warnings & suddenly released water, which worsened the situation.

Cumilla, Aug 31 - If neighboring country had alerted in advance about the release of water, the damages caused by the devastating floods in Bangladesh could have been minimized, Textile and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said on Saturday.

"We were not prepared for this flood. Floods are not common at this time of year. Our neighboring country did not issue any warnings and suddenly released water, which exacerbated the situation,” he added.

“We hope this will not happen in future," the adviser told reporters after inspecting the medical camp for the flood victims set up by the Army at the model mosque area in Cumilla’s Burichong upazila.

Cumilla Cantonment Brigadier General Abu Sayed Al Masud, Additional Superintendent of Police Kamran Ahmed, Burichong Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sahida Begum and other army officers were present.

Regarding the rehabilitation of flood-affected people, Sakhawat Hossain said: "The government has taken responsibility at a critical moment. The process of rehabilitating those affected by the flood is going on. Since there is no political government currently, we are lacking in appointing contractors for the job. However, the rehabilitation efforts will proceed as quickly as possible."

Earlier in the day, during a visit to a medical camp in Sreepur's Chauddagram of the district, the adviser highlighted the risk of waterborne diseases including skin diseases.

At that time, he emphasised the need for adequate medical supplies in flood-affected areas under these conditions.-UNB