Torrential rains and floods have unleashed a new wave of devastation in Bangladesh.  Around 5.8 million people – including 2 million children, have been affected by the floods, with hundreds of homes submerged and thousands of families forced to flee their communities.

At least 53 lives have been lost, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate stranded residents from inundated areas, but the situation remains dire.

Almost half a million people have been forced to seek refuge in schools and temporary shelters following some of the worst flooding in the country’s history.

About 1.24 million families across 11 districts are stranded and cut off from the rest of the country by floodwaters.

The heavy rains have submerged vast swathes of Bangladesh, particularly in the eastern districts. Feni, a region just 60 miles northwest of Chittagong, has been hit particularly hard. Over 350,000 residents in Feni have been plunged into darkness due to power outages, while disrupted telecommunications and flooded infrastructure are hampering rescue efforts.

11 districts across the country have been severely affected, with critical infrastructure damages, including power lines, roads, and communications, being destroyed.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that flood conditions could persist if the monsoon rains continue, as water levels are receding very slowly.

The floods have triggered a mass displacement of poor communities crisis, with families struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Many remain stranded on rooftops or in makeshift shelters, desperately awaiting assistance. The situation is particularly dire for children, who are at risk of malnutrition and disease.

The devastating floods have left thousands of families in urgent need of food, clean water, hygiene supplies and medicine, particularly in remote areas where blocked roads have hampered rescue and relief efforts.