PM Hasina: Adequate measures taken to tackle floods across country

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that there is nothing to worry about floods as the government has taken all possible measures to tackle the situation across the country.

This is the third consecutive time that Sylhet region is experiencing floods, she said adding that the government is doing its part accordingly to face the situation.

Sheikh Hasina said: "We should not panic over the floods. The people of Bangladesh always have to be prepared to face such natural disasters. We should keep this in mind while working on development of the country.”

Focus Bangla

The prime minister was speaking at a view exchange meeting on the review of recent flood situation in Sylhet Division and rehabilitation of the affected people at Sylhet Circuit house on Tuesday.

She reminded the audience that while such severe floods cause damages, it also has some positive aspects.

Flood waters, she said, bring in silt that makes land more fertile and monsoon rains help recharge the underground water that is good in the earthquake-prone country.

Focus BanglaShe put emphasis on regular dredging of the rivers and the use of the silt for other purpose like making block bricks.

Talking about construction of roads in the haor areas, she mentioned that she has already given instructions that there will be no more normal roads in Haor areas like Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj with traditional land fill and pile up roads.

"It will be elevated roads from now. These types of roads do not get damaged quickly and even in calamities like floods the communication remains smooth."

Sheikh Hasina warned that floods now may happen in the middle parts of the country next and later on in the southern part and all concerned will have to remain ready to face the situation.

Focus BanglaTalking about the situation during and after floods, the PM said, the government will provide the affected people food, water purifying tablets, oral saline and bleaching powder.

She said during the post-flood period necessary assistance such as seeds and other inputs will also be given to farmers to help cultivate their lands and grow crops like paddies.

The prime minister asked the officials to spread bleaching power in the affected areas after the flood water recedes to prevent any outbreak of diseases.

She also put emphasis on removing all wastes and garbage after the recession of floods.

The Awami League president said her party always stands beside the people during any disaster.

"In government or opposition, wherever Awami League remains, its leaders and activists always stand beside the countrymen and work for them. During cyclone, flood or any other disaster, we always stay beside people and will continue assistance to people" the prime minister said.

She said that during any disaster, Awami League reaches the affected people fast and quickly than others. "And, Awami League will continue its work for the people," she added.

Sheikh Hasina extended her gratitude to the local administration, army and leaders and activists of her party and its associate bodies who worked to rescue marooned people and distribute relief risking lives.

She said Awami League leaders and activists went to the remote areas, where many couldn't reach, and sent pictures of those areas to me what helped ease the rescue process.

"I sent those pictures to the army chief, our office, divisional office . . . so they have been able to rescue the people," the premier said.

Sylhet Divisional Commissioner and General Officer Commanding of Sylhet Cantonment made brief presentations on the flood and its damage.

Focus BanglaDivisional administration said 33 upazilas of four districts here are affected by flood where over 4.5 million people remain marooned and over 414,000 lakh people took refuge at 1,285 shelter centres.

Besides, over 300 medical teams are working to treat the flood victims while 1,307 metric tons of foodstuffs alongside 24,000 packets of dry food and Tk2.45 crore cash were distributed.

On the other hand, 74,000 hectors of land went under water while 40,000 ponds and hatcheries are damaged due to flood water which incurred a loss of estimated Tk142 crore.

The prime minister gave detailed guidance on the flood situation, relief activities, rescue operations, and other issues in the meeting at Sylhet Circuit House.

A helicopter carrying the prime minister landed at the Sylhet airport at 9:50am on Tuesday. 

The prime minister began her journey from Dhaka at 8am in the morning.

After a five-hour visit, she left Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport around 2:50pm.

She witnessed the sufferings of people marooned in floodwater in Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Sylhet as the helicopter carrying her hovered over the affected areas maintaining the "low fly mode".

The flood situation in the Sylhet division has broken all previous records in Bangladesh, including the disastrous flood of 1998.

Experts say that the situation has occurred due to the extremely heavy rainfall in India's Meghalaya-Cherrapunji‎, which has surpassed all records of the past.