The northeastern Indian states and Bangladesh continued to bear the brunt of torrential monsoon rains, causing catastrophic floods that killed at least six people and displaced well over a million citizens.
Such relentless downpours have submerged villages and severed road links as urgent rescue operations take pace. At the same time, authorities struggle to grapple with the fast-evolving situation.
The death toll has risen to 38 since mid-May, as four recent fatalities have added to that grim tally. On the other hand,
Bangladesh took its share of sorrow with two deaths-one among them being a Rohingya refugee-amidst landslides triggered by heavy rains.
Now, the Sylhet division of Bangladesh is the worst battleground of Nature's fury, as estimated by government administrator Abu Ahmed Siddique, with more than 1.3 million people coming in the grip of the floods-many still stranded, awaiting relief-as it submerged their homes and infrastructure.
Climate Change: An Aggravating Factor
Experts are sounding the alarm on the role of climate change in making extreme weather events like this one even worse and more frequent.
An increasingly unpredictable and intense monsoon-the average stalwart contributor to 70-80 percent of the region's yearly rainfall-is coming.
This year, the monsoon has been both life-giving, bringing water, and destructive, testing the resilience of millions.
As the region faces this disaster, the world is again reminded of how the Planetary Crisis must be confronted. This monsoon's modified behavior is a leading indicator of the larger environmental changes sweeping through the planet, to which action at the global level has become imperative.
Finally, the floods in India and Bangladesh show us what an unstoppable force Nature is and how climate change can wreak havoc if not taken seriously.
The stories of loss and survival from the waters will resonate years into the future as relief efforts are underway and communities are battling to rebuild, with more excellent discourse on environmental policy and humanitarian aid.
The worst hit by the flooding is the northeastern part of India and Bangladesh. A coordinated relief effort is underway.
The United Nations World Food Programme provides emergency food assistance by distributing fortified biscuits to more than 23,000 families and preparing cash for assistance in 48,000 households.
CEDAR Fund has pledged a close sum of US$35,600 for a relief effort that includes food, hygiene items, water purification tablets, and cash subsidies.
For these reasons, UNICEF has also reacted by distributing jerry cans, water purification tablets, and hygiene kits to forestall waterborne diseases and ensure access to clean water for affected children and their families.
These are discreet efforts at ensuring that the critical needs of the displaced are met and the pain brought about by the natural disaster is alleviated.
How can local communities contribute to relief efforts?
In this regard, local communities can be vital in strengthening flood relief efforts in India and Bangladesh. They may mobilize support by raising awareness about the crisis and what the affected people need.
They physically serve by voluntarily getting involved with NGOs and other relief organizations to distribute relief materials, render health services, and join rescue operations.
Organizing drives for supplies such as food, water, clothes, and first-aid kits can immensely help people in dire need. Contributing money to address organizations that have built up some level of trust allows flexibility in addressing the wide range of needs of the affected population.
Community involvement goes beyond the initial relief stage to the more permanent type of efforts in recovery, like rebuilding homes and infrastructure, which is critical to long-term rehabilitation.
In such adversity, local communities' collective action is a powerful force that provides short- and long-run assistance to fellow human beings.
