BSS, Rajshahi :
Water level in many of the rivers and tributaries of the Ganges Basin recorded a further falling trend because of dwindling of onrushing of floodwater from the upstream hilly catchment areas for the previous couple of days continuously.
Meanwhile, the overall flood situation in the Ganges basin has been improving due to the continuous falling trend in the rivers and tributaries in the last 24-hour ending this morning.
Of the 30 river points, monitored in the Ganges basin today, water levels receded at 26 points, while increased at four points, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
The rivers were flowing below the danger level at 29 points, while above the danger level at another point today.
Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) recorded a falling trend at all the eight points of the Ganges and the Padma Rivers today, Mukhlesur Rahman, Superintending Engineer of BWDB, told BSS.
Water level in the Ganges River further receded by 12 centimeter (cm) each at Pankha in Chapainawabganj and at Talbaria points and 11 cm each at Rajshahi and at Hardinge Bridge points afresh respectively.
Water level in the Korotoa River further increased by nine cm at Bogura point and receded by 22 cm at Chak Rahimpur point afresh. The Korotoa River was still flowing 66 cm above the danger level at Chak Rahimpur point this morning.
FFWC Executive Engineer Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan said a falling trend has been recorded at all the six points of the Jamuna River for the last couple of days.
The Jamuna River receded by 30 cm, 26 cm and 22 cm at Sariakandi in Bogura, at Kazipur in Sirajganj and at Sirajganj points respectively.
The Gur River receded by 10 cm in its Shingra point in Natore afresh but still flowing 8 cm above the danger mark. The Atrai River decreased by 20 cm at Baghabari in Sirajganj flowing 5 cm below the danger level afresh.
The Mahananda River receded by one cm at Rohanpur and seven cm at Chapainawabganj points afresh.
Of the 16 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra Basins, being monitored in many districts under Rajshahi division regularly, water levels declined at 15 points, while increased at another point.
The rivers were flowing below the danger level in 14 points, while above the danger mark at two other points this morning.
Meanwhile, the local administration has been continuously distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas since the flood began. More than 9.25 lakh people of around 2.23 lakh flood-affected families in different districts of the division have, so far, received relief materials to overcome their livelihood related hardships caused by the natural disaster.
The government, as part of its instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the catastrophic situation, has allocated 1,841.1 tonnes of rice, Taka 45.35 lakh in cash, 22,803 packets of dry-food, Taka 27 lakh for baby food and Taka 36 lakh for animal feed. Moinul Islam, additional commissioner of Rajshahi division, said distribution of the allocated relief materials among the affected families in the division is on final stage.
Apart from this, 2,098.6 tonnes of rice, Taka 29.71 lakh, 2,177 packets of dry food, Taka two lakh for baby food and Taka five lakh for animal feed remain in stock for distribution, he said.
Simultaneously, the Department of Health has undertaken all possible measures to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases among the flood affected people amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Some 6,396 patients were reported to have suffered from various water-related diseases and 25 people died in flood related incidents, particularly drowning and snakebite since July 1, sources said.
