The overall flood situation in the country is still remains at an alarming level with river water inundating fresh villages in the northern districts.
Our Bogra correspondent reports that the river water entering through the broken embankment of Sariakandi upazila, inundating 30 more fresh villages there. However, water level did not increase in the Jamuna River.
The flood-hit people in these areas were suffering mostly from the acute crisis of potable water, baby food and fodder. Many people have been living under the open sky with almost no food.
Arifuzzman, officer of disaster management and relief division in the district, said a total of Tk1,75,000 and 95 tonnes rice had already been distributed among the affected people, while more Tk3 lakh were allocated last night.
A tube well was also being installed and water purification tablets were being distributed to ensure supply of potable water, he added.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme had already distributed dry food in the area and intended to continue doing so, said district administration sources.
Our Sherpur correspondent reports that the flood situation in the district was worsening as the water level in the Brahmaputra River had increased further in last few days.
River bank erosion continued in the district, devouring new homesteads everyday and inundating arable lands and villages.
Locals said though water was flowing few inches below the danger level in the Brahmaputra, water was entering into the villages through the damaged embankment near sadar upazila. Many villages of Char Mucharia, Kamarer Char and Char Pokkhimari unions were already inundated, while more villages would go under water soon, if water level went on increasing at the current rate, they added.
If the embankment was not repaired soon, the diversion of the Sherpur-Jamalpur road would go under water in two days that would leave the district detached from northern districts and Dhaka.
In Chandpur, hundreds of families in the lowlands of the district were marooned as water level increased in the Meghna River in last 4-5 days.
Households of several thousand families went under water in Haimchar upazila, while water was flowing 20cm above the danger level near Chandpur in the Meghna, our Chandpur correspondent reported.
Five No Haimchar Union Parishad Chairman Ishak Khokon told the Dhaka Tribune that around 5-6 thousand families of his union were marooned in flood water.
Haimchar Upazila Chairman Shahjahan Mia said as flood water was receding through the Meghna, the lowlands of the district were inundated, adding that most of the people of those areas were marooned.
Meanwhile, Chandpur Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Rafikul told the Dhaka Tribune that water level had been crossing the danger level during tide, but it became normal during ebb.
Flood situation in Gaibandha remained unchanged, though the water level in the Teesta, Brahmaputra, Karotoa and Ghaghot rivers receded a little.
Water Development Board Engineer Abdul Aowal said water was flowing 62cm and 19cm above the danger level in the Ghaghot and Brahmaputra rivers respectively.
Abdul Matin, chairman of Erendabari union parishad under Fulchhari upazila, said river bank erosion was at its worst in Algar Char, Paglar Char and Uriar Singria areas. Many families from those areas took shelter on the embankments after their houses were eaten up by the river. The flood affected people were suffering terribly for two weeks because of the shortage of potable water, food and fuel.
Although the flood situation in Kurigram remained unchanged, nearly three lakh people were suffering heavily as flood water was not receding in a satisfactory rate.
The Brahmaputra River at Chilmari point flew 40cm above the danger level, and the Dharla River 8cm, yesterday.
The flood-hit people are facing an acute shortage of drinking water, food and medicine. Those from low-lying areas are living in shelters built on high land.
They said they were discontented at the lack of coordination in distribution of relief materials, with many alleging they did not get anything.
Deputy Commissioner ABM Azad said there was no shortage of relief goods.
“We have already distributed 800 tonnes of rice and Tk11 lakh among the victims, and have also sought another 500 tonnes of rice and Tk5 lakh,” he added.
The overall flood situation in Jamalpur remain unchanged despite the water level in Jamuna river falling a bit.
The water level at Bahadurabad point fell by 4cm and the river was flowing 67cm above the danger level yesterday morning.
More than 2.5 lakh people in 38 unions of seven upazilas remain marooned for two weeks. People from the low-income group are living without jobs and are leading a miserable life as floodwater inundated vast tracts of arable lands.
The outbreak of water-borne diseases has also been reported.
141 tonnes of rice and dry food worth Tk11 lakh have so far been distributed by the district administration among the flood victims.
