Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has extended sympathies to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Dr. A.K Abdul Momen, Minister Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, following the devastating floods which have left over one million Bangladeshi nationals marooned.

FM Shahid noted with grief that the calamity would “no doubt greatly add to the challenges faced by almost a million Bangladeshis”, at a time the country is battling with the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Expressing great sadness in having learnt of the floods devastating livelihoods and leaving entire villages underwater, caused by extremely heavy monsoon rain showers that have submerged about one third of Bangladesh under murky waters, the minister extended deepest sympathies on behalf of the government and the people of Maldives, to the government and the people of Bangladesh, especially those who have been directly affected by the calamity.

Further, he expressed hope that response efforts will proceed swiftly and successfully.

He also commended the perseverance of the Bangladeshi people during this time of crisis.

International media reports that water levels began rising at rivers across over 20 districts of the nation on Tuesday. The main reason for the floods in Bangladesh was heavy rainfall and rushing waters from upstream India, reported The Hindu.

With a population of 160 million people, Bangladesh observes flooding caused by monsoon rain showers between June and October each year and this year, the situation is observably worsening.