Flood situation improves, but sufferings remain

Despite the overall flood situation improving slightly in several northern districts, the miseries of about one million people continue. Our correspondents from Jamalpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Bogra  reported that floodwater in the districts receded. But, the relief supplies and distribution are inadequate to meet the growing demand of the affected people. The crisis of potable water and food still continues ever since the flood that has been sweeping over the northern districts for the last few days, killing at least five people till Thursday. There is also no sign of reopening a good number of education institutions sometime soon, which the administration had shut after the flood situation worsened.JamalpurNaba Kumar Chowdhury, executive engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in the district, said the water level of  the Januma River reduced by eight centimetres at its Bahadurabad point on Saturday afternoon. Then again, the river was flowing 79  centimetres above the danger line at the same point, while the figure was 87  centimetres on Friday, he said. Waterlogging is weighing heavily on the people who have been stuck inside their homes for a week. With the crisis of food and drinking water deepening, many say water-borne ailments spreading there fast. Jamalpur’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Rasel Sabrin said the government on Saturday allocated 200 tonnes of rice, Tk2.5 cash relief goods and 2,000 packs of dry food. At least 77 medical teams are working in the district, where over 200,000 people got marooned.MoulvibazarRoad communication from and to the district is hampered with 200 kilometres of roads inundated. Due to incessant rainfall coupled with waterlogging caused potholes and puddles to develop on the roads, halting smooth traffic on those. Many roads have already caved in. The floodwater in some areas started to recede, but most of low-lying areas, including the Haors, are still under knee to waist-deep water. Sources at the district administration said 310,080 people in 350 villages have so far been affected by the flood. Flood is sweeping over five upazilas of the district since June 26.KurigramLocal BWDB said water flow of the Brahmaputra dipped, but it was still flowing 15 centimetres above the danger level at its Chilmari point. The Teesta River was also flowing below the danger line. More than 200,000 people remain marooned in seven upazilas of the district, where over 150 educational institutions are still closed due to the flooding. Many flood-affected people alleged that they did not get any relief supplies in last 10-12 days.GaibandhaThe overall situation in four upazilas of the district improved a lot. But, river erosion has taken a serious turn there. The Brahmaputra has already devoured at least 70 establishments, including a school and a mosque, in the Sadar upazila. The flood control and crop protection embankments in the district have become greatly vulnerable to damage by the floodwater. The Brahmaputra and the Ghaghot’s water level dropped by 51 centimetres and 12 centimetres respectively. Despite the fact, the two rivers were still overflowing the danger mark. But, the Teesta and the Karatoa were flowing below the level. About 241,000 people in 29 unions under Gaibandha Sadar, Sundarganj, Phulchhari and Saghata upazilas are now facing severe crisis of drinking water and food. About 4,000 people have taken shelter in 24 shelter centres in those four upazilas while 132 education institutions have been closed. 20,000 more people were freshly affected on Saturday in Phulchhari upazila. The district administration allocated 325 tonnes of rice, Tk 18 lakh cash relief and 4,000 packs of dry food.BograDisaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya visited the district and distributed relief goods among the affected people in Sariakandi upazila. The minister then also announced to allocate 500 bundles of tin sheets, Tk 15 lakh in  cash and 100 tonnes of rice. He said the government will continue the relief supplies to the flood victims until they recover their losses. At least 50,000 people have been marooned in the district, while 125 tonnes of rice have been distributed as yet, which the affected say too inadequate to meet their demand.