Floodwaters recede in north but people continue to suffer

Receding floodwaters have brought further misery to the people of the northern districts, as they now stare at lost homes, livestock, and agricultural produce.

Flood victims say they do not know how they will cover the losses and manage to survive under the present conditions.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in the northern districts such as Kurigram, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Bogra and Sirajganj continued to improve but that hardly provided any solace to people devastated by the floods.

In addition, the flood situation in the low-lying areas of the southern and the central regions such as Manikganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Munshiganj and Shariatpur districts was expected to start improving as water in the Padma had started receding.

Rivers like the Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Tuni Khal surrounding the capital are flowing respectively 80cm, 11cm, 11cam and 16cm below the danger level. But the river Shitalakya in Narayanganj is flowing 21cm above the danger level.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River is likely to continue falling in the next 72 hours, while the Ganges is likely to remain steady in the next 24 hours, and the Padma is likely to continue falling in the next 72 hours. Similarly, the Surma-Kushiyara Rivers are also likely to fall in the next 24 hours.

Our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports: The trail of destruction caused by the floods has badly affected five upazilas of the district. The loss of standing crops is irreparable as the season for T-Aman plantation is over.

According to the local government engineering department (LGED), about 184 kilometres of roads have been completely and partially damaged in five upazila of the district. The estimated loss is of about Tk 165 core.

About 31,135 hectares were inundated by the floodwaters in five upazila, with fields remaining waterlogged for 5–7 days in many areas. At least 8,392 hectares of T-aman paddy fields had been completely damaged by the floods, said the DAE officials.

Our Jamalpur Correspondent reports: The overall flood situation has improved following a steady decline in the water level of the River Jamuna.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Office sources said the floods had started on August 12 and gradually hit 62 unions and eight municipality areas in all the seven upazilas of the district. They affected about 10.45 lakh people and damaged a huge amount of property.

They said the floods completely destroyed 401 houses and partially damaged 19,956. In addition, the floods also completely damaged 2 km of metalled road and 401 km partially. Department of Agriculture Extension sources said standing crops on 50,127 hectares went under the floodwaters.

Our Noakhali Correspondent reports: Different Unions of Fulgazi upazila of Feni district have been affected by floods due to incessant rainfall, affecting one lakh people of 40 villages.

Besides, a part of the embankment at Derpara on the Muhuri River had collapsed, flooding several villages.

Thousand of flood victims in the upazila are facing an acute scarcity of safe drinking water, while many are living under the open sky or in relatives’ houses. Standing crops like aman have been ruined and ponds washed way.

Our Sirajganj reports: Water of most of the rivers on the Teesta-Brahmaputra basin is receding, according to Water Development Board. But, while floodwaters recede, waterborne diseases are posing a new threat.

Our Shariatpur correspondent reports: Though water is receding in the Padma, the flood victims continue to suffer, as many have lost their homes, while road communication is virtually non-existent.

The heavy rain in the last two days in the district has aggravated the people’s woes. Finding fodder for cattle was serious problem, the flood victims said.

Relief material was also inadequate, they complained, but hooped the government would prepare a rehabilitation programme for them.

In Chandpur, erosion has taken as serious turn in Rajrajeshwar, Ibrahimpur and Nilkomol Union Parishads. At least 800 metres have been devoured by erosion in the last few days.

 

Floodwaters recede in north but people continue to suffer

Receding floodwaters have brought further misery to the people of the northern districts, as they now stare at lost homes, livestock, and agricultural produce. Flood victims say they do not know how they will cover the losses and manage to survive under the present conditions. Meanwhile, the flood situation in the northern districts such as Kurigram, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Bogra and Sirajganj continued to improve but that hardly provided any solace to people devastated by the floods. In addition, the flood situation in the low-lying areas of the southern and the central regions such as Manikganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Munshiganj and Shariatpur districts was expected to start improving as water in the Padma had started receding. Rivers like the Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Tuni Khal surrounding the capital are flowing respectively 80cm, 11cm, 11cam and 16cm below the danger level. But the river Shitalakya in Narayanganj is flowing 21cm above the danger level. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River is likely to continue falling in the next 72 hours, while the Ganges is likely to remain steady in the next 24 hours, and the Padma is likely to continue falling in the next 72 hours. Similarly, the Surma-Kushiyara Rivers are also likely to fall in the next 24 hours. Our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports: The trail of destruction caused by the floods has badly affected five upazilas of the district. The loss of standing crops is irreparable as the season for T-Aman plantation is over. According to the local government engineering department (LGED), about 184 kilometres of roads have been completely and partially damaged in five upazila of the district. The estimated loss is of about Tk 165 core. About 31,135 hectares were inundated by the floodwaters in five upazila, with fields remaining waterlogged for 57 days in many areas. At least 8,392 hectares of T-aman paddy fields had been completely damaged by the floods, said the DAE officials. Our Jamalpur Correspondent reports: The overall flood situation has improved following a steady decline in the water level of the River Jamuna. District Relief and Rehabilitation Office sources said the floods had started on August 12 and gradually hit 62 unions and eight municipality areas in all the seven upazilas of the district. They affected about 10.45 lakh people and damaged a huge amount of property. They said the floods completely destroyed 401 houses and partially damaged 19,956. In addition, the floods also completely damaged 2 km of metalled road and 401 km partially. Department of Agriculture Extension sources said standing crops on 50,127 hectares went under the floodwaters. Our Noakhali Correspondent reports: Different Unions of Fulgazi upazila of Feni district have been affected by floods due to incessant rainfall, affecting one lakh people of 40 villages. Besides, a part of the embankment at Derpara on the Muhuri River had collapsed, flooding several villages. Thousand of flood victims in the upazila are facing an acute scarcity of safe drinking water, while many are living under the open sky or in relatives houses. Standing crops like aman have been ruined and ponds washed way. Our Sirajganj reports: Water of most of the rivers on the Teesta-Brahmaputra basin is receding, according to Water Development Board. But, while floodwaters recede, waterborne diseases are posing a new threat. Our Shariatpur correspondent reports: Though water is receding in the Padma, the flood victims continue to suffer, as many have lost their homes, while road communication is virtually non-existent. The heavy rain in the last two days in the district has aggravated the peoples woes. Finding fodder for cattle was serious problem, the flood victims said. Relief material was also inadequate, they complained, but hooped the government would prepare a rehabilitation programme for them. In Chandpur, erosion has taken as serious turn in Rajrajeshwar, Ibrahimpur and Nilkomol Union Parishads. At least 800 metres have been devoured by erosion in the last few days.