The flood occurred in Bangladesh's north east region last year caused damages amounting to $405.5 million, an official report said.
Moreover, four sectors - rural infrastructures, water resources, sanitation and agriculture - altogether suffered losses worth $223.5 million in the natural calamity, the report added.
The post-disaster estimation also said the financial support worth $489.4 million is now required to help recover from the damages done to nine districts in the region in May-June, 2022.
The figures were revealed in a report, styled 'Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) Bangladesh: Floods 2022', launched on Sunday at a ceremony in a city hotel. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief organised the event in association with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Director General (DG) of the Department of Disaster Management Mijanur Rahman was the chief guest at the programme, with Joint Secretary to the disaster management ministry Momena Khatun in the chair.
ADB Country Director Edimon Ginting was present as the guest of honour, while Principal Portfolio Management Specialist at the ADB Tika Limbu spoke on the occasion, among others.
Team Leader of PDNA, ADB Andrew Parker presented highlights of the assessment.
The report said the unexpectedly devastating flood badly affected 7.2 million people in nine north-eastern districts - Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Netrakona, Brahmanbaria, Mymensingh and Sherpur.
The government conducted a post disaster needs assessment between November 2022 and January 2023 with the ADB's support, in order to provide a more detailed analysis of the priority sectors in badly affected areas.
The four major sectors - infrastructures like rural roads, bridges, culverts and railways; water resources and water supply; sanitation and hygiene; and agriculture and livestock - account for 73 per cent of the total damage and have substantial recovery needs, the report said.
"Economic activity has been disrupted, livelihoods have been severely impacted, with poverty expected to increase," it said.
With the anticipated increase in recovery and reconstruction spending, the value of lost output can be mitigated, the report said, adding, "…significant international support will be needed to realise the full extent of the country's commitment to strengthening resilience."
A survey conducted last December among the affected households in Sylhet revealed that the monthly income during the flood declined by 61 per cent - an income loss of about Tk 11,500 on an average.
Households in Sunamganj witnessed a decline of income by 71 per cent, the report said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mijanur Rahman said Bangladesh is now known for its recovery measures against various natural disasters, including floods.
"Even many developed countries that are now facing such disasters can learn from Bangladesh's experiences," he said.
He identified the financing gap as a big challenge for disaster management in the country.
Mr Rahman also stressed the need for proper implementation of infrastructure development in the affected areas by ensuring transparency.
