A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
The monsoon depression over the northeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh coast intensified into a cyclonic storm named ‘Komen’ on Wednesday, 29 July 2015, threatening to cause further downpours in regions that are already affected by the recent two phased flash floods and landslides which started since end of June 2015. Since mid-July, IFRC has been monitoring the situation and working closely with BDRCS on necessary response.
The monsoon rain season started in most part of the country in June. Three districts (Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Bandarban) have been badly affected by heavy rain and flash flooding, since end of June 2015. The situation worsen with landslides in some areas, displacing more families. In total, 186 unions experienced floods, directly affecting 1.8 million people, with 27,269 of the houses fully damaged according to the Joint Need Assessment (JNA) conducted after the flash floods and landslides in July 2015. The geographical pattern of the affected areas is mountain dominates with a drain down direction towards the Bay of Bengal, which is within the average range of 100 kilometers. As per the drainage pattern of that region the rain induced water drained down to the Bay of Bengal through several small rivers and channel. But, due to the siltation into the channels, the normal drainage did not take place and caused flooding in the adjacent areas. Apart from this rain water effect from the mountain to the plain land, there are some places adjacent to the Bay of Bengal where the sea water has inundated villages due to damage of protection embankment. An information bulletin was issued on 16 July on the flash floods and landslides.
The center of cyclone Komen made landfall along the coast of south-eastern Bangladesh between Hatiya and Sandwip islands on 30 July late afternoon weakening as it moved slightly towards the northeast according to the latest situation report from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department that termed the cyclone as moderate.
Although it was termed as moderate disaster, a number of areas were greatly affected. These include Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Bandarban, Noakhali, Feni and Bhola1 districts. At least seven people (2 of them are children) were reported dead, 38 missing persons and a number of people injured due to the cyclone. Thousands of houses were flattened and trees uprooted. Strong winds ripped through different areas with heavy rainfall. Many houses went under water, power supply was disrupted and the communication system collapsed in some places. Low-lying areas went under 5-6 feet of water. Crops were damaged and shrimp projects flooded.