Staff Reporter :
Floods have worsened in the country’s central region but remain unchanged in the north.
The low-lying areas of the centre Bangladesh have flooded as the water level on the Ganges-Padma basin continues rising.
Our Kurigram, Sirajganj and Lalmonirhat correspondents reported that the situation remained unchanged in the three districts.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of Water Development Board (WDB), the Brahamaputra, Padma, Arial Kha, Kumar and Madhumati rivers were flowing above their danger levels on Saturday.
In Faridpur, the Padma River was flowing 20 cm above the danger level at Goalanda point, rising 16 cm.
Arial Kha, Kumar and Madhumati rivers were also flowing above their danger levels on Saturday, said sources at the local WDB.
WDB Deputy Assistant Engineer Jahirul Islam said the water of the Padma River was rising rapidly. Following the recession of floodwater in the northern districts, the water started flooding the central region, he said.
In Kurigram, flood situation remained unchanged in the district as the Brahamaputra River was flowing above the danger mark though floodwater decreased slightly in some areas.
About 700 square kilometres area of the district were inundated by the floodwater, leaving 2.5 lakh people of 550 villages under 42 unions marooned for the last 10 days.
Academic activities at 193 educational institutions have remained halted due to flood.
WDB sources said the Brahmaputra River was flowing 25 cm above the danger mark at Chilmari point decreasing by 10cm while the Dharala and Dudhkumar 22cm below and 8 cm from danger mark respectively.
District administration control room sources said some 38,312 houses, 17 bridges, 1.5- kilometre embankment, 140-kilometre road and 43 educational institutions have been damaged by floodwater. A total of 3,620 hectares of cropland were inundated in the district. Three people drowned here in the floodwater.
The local administration has distributed 400 tonnes of rice, Tk 11.50 lakh in cash and 4,000 packets of dry foods among the flood victims.
In Lalmonirhat, flood situation in the district has improved as water-flow of Teesta and Dharla rivers has started deceasing.
People, who left houses for flood, have started returning to their respective residence although they are worried about the reconstruction of their damaged homes.
More than one lakh people in five upazilas of the district, who were affected by flood, are facing scarcity of pure drinking water, food and sanitation. They are seeking government assistance for their rehabilitation.
Contacted, Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Abul Fayez Alauddin Khan said all flood victims would be brought under post-flood rehabilitation programmes. “We are preparing a list,” he said.
In Sirajganj, 10 more villages went under water as 40 metres of an under-construction flood control embankment at Bahuka in Sadar upazila collapsed into the Jamuna River on Thursday night.
bdnews24.com adds:
Vast areas in 52 Upazilas of 13 districts have been waterlogged following two straight weeks of heavy rain and rising river waters.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin water level may fall in the coming days, but the level in the Ganges-Padma basin will rise for two more days, said Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre Executive Engineer Md Sajjad Hossain.
The Teesta flooded Nilphamari, while the Surma-Kushiara-Someswari waters overflowed in areas of Netrokona, Sunamganj, Sylhet and Sherpur.
Habiganj and Brahmanbaria are at risk of flooding from the Titas and Khoai rivers. The Kopotakkho is past its danger level near Jessore’s Jhikorgacha.
Seven top officials from the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry have been dispatched to seven districts to inspect the floods.
Field level officials have also been sent to 11 districts to hold preparatory meetings.
Rains may decrease slowly through Sunday, according to the Meteorological Department.
