Diarrhoea epidemic looms large

Thursday 11 December 2025 ,

Online Version

Diarrhoea epidemic looms large

STAFF REPORTER

Members of a family use a raft made of banana plants to navigate through floodwaters in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar yesterday. Focus Bangla Photo

The sufferings of the flood-affected people of the northeastern districts have aggravated due to inadequate relief materials. Sanitation has become yet another problem in these areas.

The shortage of fresh drinking water has become acute, raising the chances of diarrhoea outbreaks.

District administration sources said they had sufficient relief materials to take care of the flood-affected people. But there is apprehension that problems could become more serious if the floods persist.

The sources said that they were taking action to prevent irregularities in relief distribution.

At least four upazilas of Moulvibazar, Barlekha, Juri, Kamalganj and Rajnagar have been badly affected.

The district administration said at least 2.56 lakh people belonging to 51,020 families of 314 villages had been hit by the floods caused by incessant rain and an onrush of water from neighbouring countries.

At least 700 families have taken refuge in 33 shelters opened by the distrcit administration. Besides, over 300 educational institutions have been submerged.

Tofayel Islam, deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar district, told The Independent they already distributed 650 tonnes of rice and Tk 30.50 lakh among the flood-hit people. “Two hundred tonnes of rice are being distributed. We've now 75 tonnes of rice and Tk 1.5 lakh in stock. If the flood situation worsens, we'll need more relief materials,” he said. He also said he had himself distributed relief materials in remote areas by boats. “If we get any complaint of negligence or irregularities in relief distribution, tough action will be taken. Legal action has been taken against those who were responsible for causing irregularities in relief distribution in Kulaura upazila,” he added.

Barlekha upazila chairman Rafiqul Islam told The Independent that they needed more relief materials for distribution among the affected people. “We're distributing whatever relief we get from the government. We're distributing saline and water purification tablets to fend off any waterborne diseases,” he said.

The sanitation system of the flood-affected areas has taken a serious turn. Flood victims remain vulnerable to waterborne diseases like diarrhoea due to a shortage of clean drinking water as many tube-wells have gone under water.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Kushiara river is falling and the flood situation is said to be improving.

The flood situation in Sylhet is still deteriorating and fresh areas are being flooded as the Surma is flowing over 73 cm above the danger level. The low-lying areas of Sylhet Sadar, Biswanath and Kanaighat upazila have gone under water.

At least 466 villages of 55 unions of eight upazilas have been submerged due to heavy rain and an onrush of water, affecting 32,847 families, sources said. Around 330 hectares of Aus paddy field and 35 hectares of Aman field have gone under water.

The district administration has opened 11 shelters to house 629 people. About 127 tonnes of rice and Tk. 3 lakh have already been distributed. In addition, 500 tonnes of rice and Tk. 10 lakh are in the process of being distributed.

Around 206 schools have been shut. Of them, 185 primary schools and 21 secondary schools have been submerged.

Jahangir Alam Rana, vice-chairman of Kanaighat upazila, told The Independent that his area has not been flooded yet, except the inundation of some low-lying areas. “We've taken preparations to combat the flood. We've selected 11 shelter centres and formed 10 medical teams. Besides, saline and water purification tablets are available. We have got nine tonnes of rice as relief materials,” he said.

The Brahmaputra, the Karotoa and the Teesta have been swelling alarmingly for the past few days, posing flood threats in the ‘chars’ and mainland of the district.

Officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the Brahmaputra river rose by 18 cm, the Karotoa by 8 cm and the Ghagot by 15 cm in the last 24 hours till 9am this morning due to the onrush water from the hills and incessant rainfall in the last few days.

On the other hand, the water level of the Teesta, one of the major rivers in the district, decreased by 4 cm during the same period, sources said.

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Flood situation

Diarrhoea epidemic looms large

STAFF REPORTER

The sufferings of the flood-affected people of the northeastern districts have aggravated due to inadequate relief materials. Sanitation has become yet another problem in these areas. The shortage of fresh drinking water has become acute, raising the chances of diarrhoea outbreaks. District administration sources said they had sufficient relief materials to take care of the flood-affected people. But there is apprehension that problems could become more serious if the floods persist. The sources said that they were taking action to prevent irregularities in relief distribution. At least four upazilas of Moulvibazar, Barlekha, Juri, Kamalganj and Rajnagar have been badly affected. The district administration said at least 2.56 lakh people belonging to 51,020 families of 314 villages had been hit by the floods caused by incessant rain and an onrush of water from neighbouring countries. At least 700 families have taken refuge in 33 shelters opened by the distrcit administration. Besides, over 300 educational institutions have been submerged. Tofayel Islam, deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar district, told The Independent they already distributed 650 tonnes of rice and Tk 30.50 lakh among the flood-hit people. Two hundred tonnes of rice are being distributed. Weve now 75 tonnes of rice and Tk 1.5 lakh in stock. If the flood situation worsens, well need more relief materials, he said. He also said he had himself distributed relief materials in remote areas by boats. If we get any complaint of negligence or irregularities in relief distribution, tough action will be taken. Legal action has been taken against those who were responsible for causing irregularities in relief distribution in Kulaura upazila, he added. Barlekha upazila chairman Rafiqul Islam told The Independent that they needed more relief materials for distribution among the affected people. Were distributing whatever relief we get from the government. Were distributing saline and water purification tablets to fend off any waterborne diseases, he said. The sanitation system of the flood-affected areas has taken a serious turn. Flood victims remain vulnerable to waterborne diseases like diarrhoea due to a shortage of clean drinking water as many tube-wells have gone under water. Meanwhile, the water level of the Kushiara river is falling and the flood situation is said to be improving. The flood situation in Sylhet is still deteriorating and fresh areas are being flooded as the Surma is flowing over 73 cm above the danger level. The low-lying areas of Sylhet Sadar, Biswanath and Kanaighat upazila have gone under water. At least 466 villages of 55 unions of eight upazilas have been submerged due to heavy rain and an onrush of water, affecting 32,847 families, sources said. Around 330 hectares of Aus paddy field and 35 hectares of Aman field have gone under water. The district administration has opened 11 shelters to house 629 people. About 127 tonnes of rice and Tk. 3 lakh have already been distributed. In addition, 500 tonnes of rice and Tk. 10 lakh are in the process of being distributed. Around 206 schools have been shut. Of them, 185 primary schools and 21 secondary schools have been submerged. Jahangir Alam Rana, vice-chairman of Kanaighat upazila, told The Independent that his area has not been flooded yet, except the inundation of some low-lying areas. Weve taken preparations to combat the flood. Weve selected 11 shelter centres and formed 10 medical teams. Besides, saline and water purification tablets are available. We have got nine tonnes of rice as relief materials, he said. The Brahmaputra, the Karotoa and the Teesta have been swelling alarmingly for the past few days, posing flood threats in the chars and mainland of the district. Officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the Brahmaputra river rose by 18 cm, the Karotoa by 8 cm and the Ghagot by 15 cm in the last 24 hours till 9am this morning due to the onrush water from the hills and incessant rainfall in the last few days. On the other hand, the water level of the Teesta, one of the major rivers in the district, decreased by 4 cm during the same period, sources said.