With the floods worsening across the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed all officials concerned to continue their all-out efforts to tackle this crisis.
She directed field-level administration officers to remain alert and keep an eye on the whole situation so that people are not left to suffer extremely in the floods.
The premier gave the instructions in speaking at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet Division, which she attended from Ganabhaban by videoconference on Monday.
Ministers and secretaries of various ministries took part in the meeting from the Secretariat in Dhaka, also by videoconference.
The premier told government officials to be with the people to make sure that those in need of government assistance are attended to as soon as possible, reports Bangla Tribune.
After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam in briefing the media, said those who attended the meeting expressed satisfaction with the government’s relief and rescue efforts in responding to the floods.
“The flood situation is being monitored regularly,” he added.
Regarding the prime minister’s instructions on tackling the ongoing floods, the secretary said the premier has asked everyone to remain alert so that there is no scarcity of aid and people's livelihoods are ensured.
She also directed the authorities concerned to ensure adequate toilet facilities, water treatment plants, and water purifying tablets for people affected by the floods.
Measures taken to reduce Tk 349cr damage caused by flooding
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on the same day said that the government took different initiatives to reduce the Tk 349 crore damage caused primarily by the floods.
The damage will be recovered and the target of Aman production will be possible to achieve if the flood conditions do not worsen further, he said during a meeting with ministry officials at the ministry in Dhaka, reports UNB.
Ropa Aman saplings worth Tk2.15 crore have been distributed among farmers in severely affected districts free of cost, Razzaque said.
The ministry has also initiated a program, spending approximately Tk70 lakh to plant Ropa Aman saplings on floating beds.
Flood-hit and small farmers will also get free saplings of Aman for transplanting, worth Tk 54 lakh, the minister said.
“Around 50,000 farmers will be provided fertilizer and seeds of Maskolai worth Tk3.82 crore if they fail to produce Aman in flood-stricken areas,” he said.
In the first phase, the floods from June 25 to July 8, affected approximately 76,310 hectares of paddy fields in 14 districts where a total of 344,000 farmers fell victim, Razzaque said.
In the second phase, from July 11 to July 19, around 83,000 hectares of paddy fields in 26 districts, including the previous 14 districts, were damaged, he added.
The minister has urged all officials of the ministry to work with dedication as agriculture has been exposed to severe risks due to floods and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.