A recent study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) estimates that the floods in eastern Bangladesh have caused damage amounting to Tk 14,421.46 crore, approximately $1.20 billion.
The findings were revealed during a media briefing titled "Recent Flood Damage and Rehabilitation Process in Eastern Region: CPD`s Analysis," held today at the CPD office in Dhaka.
The study noted that the damage represents 1.81 percent of the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 national budget. In relation to GDP, it accounts for 0.29 percent of FY24`s provisional GDP and 0.26 percent of the projected GDP for FY25.
These floods, which began on August 19, 2024, were triggered by continuous heavy rainfall and water from upstream, impacting 11 districts. CPD`s assessment focused on Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Khagrachhari, Cox`s Bazar, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Lakshmipur, and Brahmanbaria.
The hardest-hit sectors were agriculture and forestry, which suffered Tk 5,169.71 crore in damages, representing 35.85 percent of the total. The infrastructure sector followed with losses of Tk 4,653.92 crore (32.27 percent), and the housing sector sustained Tk 2,407.31 crore in damages (16.69 percent).
Noakhali incurred the highest monetary losses, contributing 29.07 percent of the total damage, followed by Cumilla (23.51 percent), Feni (18.61 percent), and Chattogram (11.63 percent). The study highlighted that districts such as Noakhali, Cumilla, and Feni were disproportionately affected.
