M Faruque Hossain :More than 1.5 million people have been affected in the ongoing deluge across the country; dwelling houses, schools, bazars, government offices and standing crops devoured, with major rivers and their tributaries’ water-level rising further. Flood situation in Rajbari, Manikganj, Munshiganj and Shariatpur districts may deteriorate further in the next 48 hours. The Buriganga, the Balu and the Sitalakkhya rivers surrounding the Dhaka city may get higher in next 48 hours, said the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). The FFWC sources said, the Brahmaputra river remained unchanged. The Jamuna and the Ganges and the Padma basins showed no sign of improvement, but the Surma and Khushiyara rivers registered fall. The Brahmaputra-the Jamuna likely to start falling in next 24 hours, which may continue upto next 72 hours. The Ganges-the Padma river systems likely to continue rising in next 48 hours. The Surma-the Kushiyara Rivers are likely to fall in next 24 hours. Flood situation in the Dharla River in Kurigram and the Surma in Sunamganj districts will improve in next 24 hours. According to the district administration office sources, around 1,12,700 people are being affected in Bogra, 1,50,000 people have lost their houses in 13 unions of Shahjadpur upazila, 10,000 families of 15 villages in Kayempur became homeless, 25,000 people from 16 villages in Garadah union have been marooned. On the other hand, 50,000 people from Potazia and Norina union were suffering miserably for want of food and safety. In Sirajganj, 27,995 people of 6145 families from 215 villages in 35 unions in Kazipur, Belkuchi, Sadar and Chouhali upazilas took shelter in 195 flood protection shelter centers. Around 86.45 kilometer dam and roads were damaged, 38 educational institutions shut down. In Fulchhari 70,000 people have been suffering from drinking water and scarcity of foods for the last seven days. In Fulchhari sadar, around 2,00.000 people from 40 villages are passing days anxiously as the dam could break anytime and flood the area. Meanwhile, the flood situation in the Kurigram district aggravated further in last 24 hours. There are cries for food, drinking water, medicines and shelters, because the supplies are scanty. In the district, about five lakh people had been marooned. The flood situation in Roumari upazila is quite miserable.The Brahmaputra has been flowing 96 cm above the danger lever at Chilmari point. New areas in the Bragmaputra basin were flooded. Sources said, 50,000 people from Fakirhat, Nayabas, Kodaldhoya, Kanchkol, Uttar and Dakkhin Wari, Sutarmari, Mozarhat, Majhipara, Koyerpar, Saraktari, Madonmahon, Jokritari, Moynerkhamar and Panchgram in Raniganj union, Dartiarchar, Mudfatkalipur, Khoddobuspatar, Majhbari, Dighalkandi, Jugni, Kharuvaj, Goyalerchar, Hasenerchar and Noterkandi of Ostomirchar, Korai Barisal, Telipara, Charshakahati, Montola, Bisherpara and Boilmondiarkhata in Chilmari union, Kheruarchar, Bojra Diyarkhata, Uttar and Dakkhin Khauriarchar, Naiyarchar and 200 Bigharchar in Nayarhat union, Tonegram, Sonaripara, Hindupara, Majhipara, Uttarmona, Bangmara, Mudafatthana (Harinerband), Namachar, Satgharipara, Kheunipara and Patrokhata in Ramna union, Rajarvita, Maildanga, Kajaldanga, Hatithana, Majstal, Putimari kajaldanga, Chararpara and Namchar in Thanahat union have been facing miserable life for scarcity of drinking water, foods and straw for the domestic animals. In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta and Dharla are flowing 12 cm above the danger level in Teesta Barrage point. Around 1,00,000 people from 63 char area of Teesta-Dharla basin have been suffering from drinking water. The cooking burners also went under flood water. The local union Parishad chairman office sources said, 30,000 families in Votemari, Dauyamari, Sinduna, Kakina, Palashi, Mahishkhocha, Rajpur, Khuniagachh and Gokunda unions have been marooned. The affected people have been taken shelter on high land and on the embankments. In Gaibandha, about 2,00,000 people from 20 villages have been affected as the Bharotkhali and Sonail dam broke. The Tahsil office, Kamarjani haat and Varotkhali haat have been submerged due to the flood water. The business establishments have been shut down. The roads of Gaibandha-Fulchhari-Saghat in 20 points have been submerged causing disrupting of vehicle movement.
