Damages could have been less if India warned earlier about releasing water: Adviser Sakhawat

If India provided earlier warnings about the release of upstream water, the damages caused by the flash floods in Bangladesh could have been minimised, Textile and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said today (31 August).

“The sudden release of the water without prior warning exacerbated the situation,” the adviser told media during an inspection of a medical camp set up by the army to provide medical services and medicines to flood victims in the Cumilla’s Burichang Model Mosque area.

“Bangladesh was unprepared for the recent floods. We hope to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he added.

About the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts, Sakhawat said, “The swift response from the current government will accelerate the recovery process for those impacted by the floods.”

Earlier in the day, during a visit to a medical camp in Sreepur’s Chauddagram of the district, he highlighted the risk of waterborne diseases, such as skin diseases.

He emphasised the need for adequate medical supplies in flood-affected areas.