The severe flooding that devastated the country's eastern region in August has caused losses and damages worth at least Tk 144.1 billion (US$1.23b), according to a latest study.
The flood, mainly caused by the sudden release of river dam water by neighboruing India without any warning, coupled with heavy rains caused the deluge which also claimed around 100 lives.
Local think-tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) conducted the study, the report of which was revealed at a media briefing titled "Recent flood damage and rehabilitation process in the Eastern region: CPD's analysis" at the CPD office in the city.
CPD executive director Dr Fahmida Khatun and research director Khondaker Golam Moazzem, among others, spoke at the briefing while CPD research fellow Muntaseer Kamal presented the findings.
The CPD assessed the economic damage caused by the recent floods that devastated 11 districts in Eastern Bangladesh.
The districts are Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Khagrachhari, Cox's Bazar, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Lakshmipur, and Brahmanbaria.
The study evaluated the damage across six major sectors - agriculture and forestry, infrastructure, housing, industry, healthcare, and education.
The total damage from the floods is estimated at Tk. 144.21 billion (approximately $1.20 billion), equivalent to 1.81 per cent of the national budget for FY25 and 0.3 per cent of FY24's provisional GDP.
The projected GDP for FY25 puts the damage at 0.26 per cent.
Among the sectors, agriculture and forestry were the most affected, suffering Tk 51.69 billion or 35.85 per cent in losses.
Infrastructure damages followed closely at Tk 46.53 billion (32.27 per cent), while housing losses stood at Tk 24.07 billion (16.69 per cent).
The healthcare sector was also heavily impacted, with Tk 20.62 billion (14.30 per cent) in damages.
The CPD report focused on several issues in the coordination of relief efforts.
A lack of coordination among stakeholders led to uneven distribution of aid, with some individuals receiving assistance multiple times, while others received none, observed the CPD.
Remote areas were particularly difficult to reach due to a shortage of flat-bottomed boats, and in some cases, cash relief was ineffective as essential goods were either unavailable or not being sold.
The report also identified the absence of a radio communication system as a major hurdle in coordinating relief efforts among local administrative offices. Additionally, insufficient government personnel hampered effective and timely distribution of aid.
The extensive damage to the agricultural sector could have long-term consequences for food security in the region, and controlling inflation will be a significant challenge, said the CPD.
The government has been urged to prepare for rice imports to stabilise the food supply and reduce import duties on agricultural inputs and commodities to ease inflationary pressures.
To improve future emergency responses, the CPD recommended several actions, including the establishment of radio communication systems between administrative offices to ensure coordination when mobile networks fail.
The availability of sufficient ambulatory boats for emergencies in flood-affected areas must also be ensured.
Additionally, there is a need for more effective coordination between various stakeholders for swift emergency response both before and during floods.
Strengthening collaboration between agencies like the Meteorological Department (BMD), the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), and local government units such as Union Parishads is crucial for future preparedness.
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