PM Orders Maximum Alert and Coordinated Relief Amid Widespread Flooding

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed all field-level administrators and relevant agencies to remain on maximum alert to combat widespread waterlogging and severe flooding across Bangladesh.

During a virtual meeting with officials from all eight divisions, the Prime Minister emphasized that protecting lives and property is the administration’s top priority, stressing that negligence will not be tolerated. Continuous heavy rainfall, upstream water flows, and landslides have already claimed 51 lives in the southeastern and northeastern districts.

PM Rahman instructed authorities to swiftly distribute essential relief—including dry food, safe drinking water, baby food, and medicines—while ensuring strict transparency and accountability. He highlighted the critical need to prioritize vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women. Furthermore, shelters must provide adequate sanitation, uninterrupted electricity, and secure environments. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert to prevent disaster-related crimes, including the theft or misappropriation of relief goods. While waterlogging in Chattogram is gradually easing, the situation in the Sylhet region is worsening due to a damaged embankment on the Manu River, and officials are bracing for fresh flooding in the Rangpur division. The crisis has also heavily impacted the capital, with severe waterlogging and power outages disrupting residential halls at Dhaka University.

Internationally, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow and extended solidarity to the people of Bangladesh. PM Rahman continues to urge all local agencies to take necessary precautionary measures and closely coordinate rescue operations to support the affected communities.