Flood in Bangladesh hampering export-import activities

Dhaka : Export-import operations are being disrupted by a devastating flood in Bangladesh across 11 districts, affecting about 4.5 million people and killing several.

Many parts of the main cargo route of the country Dhaka-Chattogram highway have been swamped due to flooding from incessant rain in the south-east and from the Indian state of Tripura.

Export-laden trucks from Dhaka and elsewhere have faced obstructions, diversions and delays in reaching depots the prime seaport in Chattogram. In some places, the highway was reportedly waist-deep in water, creating a 40 km traffic jam.

Reports cited the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association, saying, the Chattogram inland depots are receiving 2,100 export cargo-carrying trucks-1,000 fewer-compared to usual times.

"Usually, we receive some 3,500 trucks a day," the association said, according to reports. Normally some 900 trucks would leave the depots every day carrying imported cargo, however, lately only around 630 trucks could do so in a day.