VZCZCXRO9061
OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW
DE RUEHKA #0742/01 2100951
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 290951Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9233
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8590
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000742 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB AND SCA/FO 
USAID/W FOR MELLIS AND RHOWELL ANE/SAA 
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA WBERGER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT ASEC BG CASC EAID PGOV PINR PINS PREL
SUBJECT: LIFE IN DHAKA COMES TO STANDSTILL AFTER RECORD 
RAINS 
 
SUMMARY 
======== 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Record rainfall overnight July 28 left major 
sections of Dhaka temporarily underwater, bringing normal 
life in the capital to a standstill and causing significant 
localized damage.  The Prime Minister immediately convened an 
emergency meeting of Dhaka city and ministry officials and 
criticized them for failing to adequately maintain the 
capital's drainage system.  The diplomatic enclave was not 
spared the effects of the storm, with several embassy 
residences suffering water damage.  We do not have any 
reports of injuries to American citizens.  The GOB and donors 
do not plan to provide assistance to those affected by the 
rains, but this episode has highlighted the need to prepare 
for future storms and potential flooding in Dhaka. 
 
Record Rains Affect Life in Dhaka City 
====================================== 
 
¶2. (U)  Dhaka city and surrounding areas received record 
precipitation the evening of July 27 - 28 with  Bangladesh's 
Met Office reporting rainfall of 333 mm (13 inches) in a 24 
hour period--close to the average for the entire month. 
Nearly 300 mm (11 inches) fell in just a six-hour period.  As 
a result, residents of Dhaka awoke the morning of July 28 to 
flooded streets, houses, and underground structures.  Many 
residents were stranded as transportation ground to a halt. 
Trading at the Dhaka Stock Exchange was delayed for an hour 
as the building housing the bourse was also flooded. 
Likewise, government offices were slow to open as the main 
Secretariat area was inundated with several feet of water and 
office workers were unable to reach the location.  The worst 
hit areas were in old Dhaka and in the city's business 
district.  The media has reported 10 deaths, mainly caused by 
electrocution, resulting from the storm.  Many businesses 
also suffered damage, with numerous small shopkeepers seeing 
their stores wiped out. 
 
Government Responds 
=================== 
 
¶3. (SBU)  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was quick to respond 
to the storm, convening an emergency meeting that included 
the State Minister for Local Government, officials from the 
Water and Sewer Department, and the Dhaka City Corporation 
mayor.  Hasina stressed the importance of clearing the city's 
drainage system and accused officials of negligence.  Many 
observers noted the impact of clogged and filled in drainage 
canals.  In a meeting July 29, State Minister for Foreign 
Affairs Dr. Hasan Mahmud said the storm had highlighted the 
need to prepare for future flooding.  He observed that 
Dhaka's growth had occurred in an environmentally 
unsustainable manner, leaving the city vulnerable to such 
disasters.  At the same time, Hasan said the GOB had no plans 
to provide assistance to those affected by the storm.   The 
GOB would look at longer term responses, such as clearing 
drains and expanding the holding capacity of lakes and canals 
in the capital area. 
 
Impact on Embassy Operations 
============================ 
 
¶4. (U)  While spared the worst effects of the storm, the 
diplomatic enclave also suffered damage from the record 
rainfall.  Lakes on the border of the zone overflowed, 
inundating neighboring properties and causing localized 
flooding.  Water entered 13 Embassy residences, causing 
minimal damage but no injuries.  One residence was rendered 
uninhabitable by flood water, and a bamboo scaffolding from a 
neighboring building also fell and damaged the unit's water 
tank.  While high water near the Embassy was receding by 
morning and roads were open in the immediate vicinity, 
several Locally Engaged Staff were unable to report to work 
because of flooding in their neighborhoods or blocked access 
routes.  Embassy hours were not affected. 
 
Comment 
======= 
 
¶5. (SBU)  As we have seen in coastal regions following recent 
storms, over the years Bangladesh's high population density 
leaves it vulnerable to natural disasters.  Dhaka's rapid 
urbanization and inadequate infrastructure have left 
residents of the capital city particularly vulnerable. With 
 
DHAKA 00000742  002 OF 002 
 
 
the rain waters subsiding, those who suffered losses will 
face the grim task of recovering without assistance from the 
government or donors.  In the meantime, all are watching the 
weather forecasts and hoping that the heavy rains do not 
return. 
MORIARTY