Flash floods, which can also be considered political floods, caused by the sudden opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gomti river in India’s Tripura have devoured some zillas in the eastern and southeastern regions of Bangladesh. It is true that there was heavy rainfall in those eastern zillas and flood conditions in Tripura were dire, but India has shown inhumanity by opening dams without any prior notice. How friendly is it for a neighbouring country that claims to be a’reliable friend’ of Bangladesh?
According to the press secretary of the chief adviser of the interim government, flash floods have marooned at least 36 lakh people in 10 
districts. The situation in Feni —especially in Chhagalnaiya, Phulgazi, and Parshuram upazilas—has been described as unprecedented, with nearly every house inundated. The situation is dire. At least 5 people died, and some went missing. The weather is not in favour of rescue. People of those affected regions are totally helpless.
No doubt, confronting the flash flood is a big challenge for the newly formed interim government. They are trying. Members of the Bangladesh Army have been deployed to rescue flood victims. And students, volunteers, and the general public are participating in rescuing and raising funds. Rescuing the marooned people is the prior duty now.
Fundraising and collecting relief are ongoing. Lifesaving equipment, including rescue boats, life jackets, and ropes, is so much in need in the present flood conditions. Moreover, dry foods, saline, and pure drinking water are needed for the sheltered people. Besides these emergency relief items, hygiene products like sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups are to be included, as menstruation doesn’t stop during disasters. A packet of sanitary napkins at this time can be a real blessing for the flood affected girls and women.
We must stand together to help flood-affected people. The united power of the student-mass has been able to overthrow the autocratic regime. Now we are in the latter part of the revolution.
We have to hold on to the collective spirit of our July revolution. This is Bangladesh 2.0. It’s our motherland, our country, we will have to save us, have to come forward to save ours’ people. From ‘bloody July’ to ‘floody August’, our revolution is going on and will continue.
Samia Jahan Shefa
Student of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Department
Jashore University of Science and Technology.
E-mail:shefasamia8@gmail.com
