By Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed profound sympathy and offered support to Bangladesh following severe floods that have devastated large areas of the country. In a letter to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Sharif extended Pakistan’s solidarity, assuring the people of Bangladesh that Pakistan stands with them in their time of loss and hardship.
In a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, Sharif commended the resilience and bravery of the Bangladeshi people and expressed confidence in their leadership to navigate this crisis. Pakistan has pledged to provide any necessary assistance.
The floods, triggered by heavy rains, have inundated several low-lying regions in Bangladesh, impacting at least eight districts in the south and east. Disaster officials report at least five fatalities and hundreds of thousands stranded. Mohammad Nazmul Abedin from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief stated that around 2.9 million people have been affected, with more than 70,000 relocated to shelters.
Three of the deaths occurred in Cox’s Bazar, according to Rasedul Islam, the chief administrative officer of Ramu district. The flooding adds to the challenges for Bangladesh’s new government, which is still grappling with the aftermath of political unrest that led to the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina fled to India earlier this month following violent student protests that ended her 15-year rule.
Bangladesh, a country heavily influenced by its river deltas from the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, frequently faces flooding, especially during the monsoon season. Climate change is worsening the situation by altering weather patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. The army and navy have been deployed for rescue operations, using boats and helicopters to reach those cut off by rising waters.
India has denied allegations of contributing to the floods by releasing water from an upstream dam, as claimed by its foreign ministry.
