Contaminated water endangers people's health following floods in Bangladesh

Consequences of drinking contaminated water 

By mid-September, the floodwaters had barely subsided in Noakhali, in southern Bangladesh, when the devastating consequences began to unfold. Fourteen-month-old Salman, who was brought to Noakhali General Hospital by his parents, was ill with diarrhea, a common risk in the flood-affected region.

“Despite our home escaping the floodwaters, the surrounding area was inundated, rendering our water sources unsafe,” says Javed, Salman’s father. 

Like others, the family had no choice but to rely on contaminated water for drinking, leading to a widespread outbreak of diarrhea. Despite initial attempts to treat Salman at home with over-the-counter medications from the village doctor, his condition worsened, prompting his parents to seek urgent medical attention at the hospital supported by MSF.

Noakhali's worst flood in two decades

Noakhali and Feni districts have been grappling with flash floods triggered by relentless downpours since late August. The current floods are poised to be among the most devastating in Noakhali in two decades.

“As the floodwaters began to rise, I knew I had to return home, no matter the risks,” says Humayun Ahmed Rifat, who is from Kabilpur village in Noakhali. “The thought of my family enduring hardship and losing their belongings was unbearable. It was a desperate race against time to salvage what we could.”

Rifat had rushed from Chittagong to his village to support his family. His mother and younger sister had to fend for themselves as the floodwaters surged into their home.

The floodwaters destroyed homes, farmland, and infrastructure. Roads were submerged, cutting off entire communities and hindering relief efforts. The devastation has been widespread, leaving thousands of people displaced and struggling to cope.

“The floodwaters not only washed away my livelihood but also shattered my hopes,” says Javed. “I invested so much in my fish farm and paddy fields, only to see them swept away by the relentless floods. I have lost everything due to the floods. The financial loss is devastating, but I’m not the only one.”

A fragile water and sanitation system raises concerns

The floodwaters have created a breeding ground for waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea and skin infections, while the lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities has exacerbated the public health crisis. Children, elderly people, and women are particularly vulnerable during these emergencies.

Jasmine, who is pregnant and from Laxminarayanpur, Maijdee, was forced to flee her flooded home within hours of the floodwaters rising. 

“I had to rush to a shelter with my 3-year-old son,” Jasmine says. “The water rose so quickly; we didn't have time to pack anything. Upon returning home, I was confronted with the daunting task of living in a waterlogged house. As a pregnant woman, I've done my best to be cautious, but the contaminated water has taken a toll on my health. I'd been struggling with diarrhea and had been forced to use a waterlogged toilet multiple times."

When her condition worsened, Jasmine’s brother took her to Noakhali General Hospital, where she was admitted for care.

No space to walk in the hospital

The 250-bed inpatient department at Noakhali General Hospital was overwhelmed by a surge of people with acute watery diarrhea. Hospital staff, including the MSF medical team supporting the pediatric and adult wards, worked hard to cope with the increasing demand. Patients were lined up on the floors  due to the influx of sick people.

“The hospital was so overcrowded that there was barely any space to walk,” says Pankaj Paul, MSF deputy medical coordinator in Bangladesh. “Hygiene and cleanliness were major concerns with the overwhelming number of patients and their caretakers. The facility far exceeded its capacity.” 

“When we began our response, we initially focused on treatment,” Paul explains. “However, we soon realized that many patients could be discharged after brief observation. To optimize patient flow and ensure quality care, we implemented a triage system, allowing us to make the best use of available resources.”

Between September 5 and October 4, MSF teams treated 1,946 patients with acute watery diarrhea. In addition, we set up a diarrhea emergency ward, and 154 health promotion sessions were conducted in the hospital. We also recruited 24 cleaners to implement proper hygiene and sanitation measures.  

To ensure access to safe drinking water, the team disinfected and repaired broken tube wells in Noakhali and Feni districts, while also disinfecting water tanks in the hospital to prevent the spread of diseases. 

With the support of a local non-governmental organization, MSF distributed supplies in five locations in Kabirhat upazila administrative division, including 1,000 kits with mosquito nets, torches, soap, washing powder, diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sanitary napkins. In Feni, MSF focused on water and sanitation, disinfecting and repairing tube wells. The water and sanitation team also trained 45 volunteer teams on disinfection and repairs in 45 villages across Noakhali and Feni.

MSF’s work in Bangladesh

MSF closed its emergency intervention in response to the floods on October 4, but we remain committed to supporting national and local authorities in Bangladesh when natural disasters arise, and we continue to work in Dhaka and the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar.