Flood situation worsens as rivers rise in north
Flood victims pass days in misery
STAFF REPORTER with OUR CORRESPONDENTS
The continuous rise in the water level of different rivers has further worsened the flood situation in different parts of the countrys northern districts, increasing the sufferings of millions of people. All the victims can do is pass their days in misery, helplessly watching further damage to their properties and crops. The flood situation in different northern districts, including Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Bogra and Sirajganj, continued to worsen while the water levels of rivers in central parts, including Manikganj, Rajbari, Munshiganj and Shariatpur districts, have risen. In addition to waterlogging, the rivers are gobbling up vast chunks of land, as erosion has taken a turn for the worse. According to the Flood Forecasting Warning Centre (FFWC), the swollen Jamuna and Bramaputra are likely to worsen the situation further in northern and central parts of the country over the next 48 hours. Water levels in 37 river stations monitored by the FFWC have seen increases, while 43 stations have recorded falls.
In Jamalpur, the rising water level of the Jamuna has worsened the overall flood situation in the district, affecting over two lakh people in 49 unions of the district. District Water Development Board (WDB) sources said the water of the Jamuna rose 12 cm and was flowing 62 cm above the danger level at Bahadurabad ghat point till noon yesterday. While the relief and rehabilitation office in the district said 50 upazilas in Islampur, Bakshiganj, Dewanganj, Madarganj, Sarishabari, Melandah and Jamalpur Sadar have been affected, the office of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said crops standing on 12,963 hectares of land in the district have been submerged by floodwaters.
According to Rabiul Islam Talukdar, chairman of Mahmudpur union parishad, water has inundated all 19 villages in his union, intensifying the sufferings of the people.
According to the district relief and rehabilitation office, Tk. 5.47 lakh and 173 tonnes of rice have been distributed among the flood-hit people since the district came under floods on August 23.
In Gaibandha, the rise of water in the Ghaghat, Brahmaputra and Korotoa following heavy rainfall and onrush from the upper stream have exacerbated the flood situation.
The water in the Brahmaputra rose 12 cm and was flowing 48 cm above the danger level. Again, with the rise of one cm water level in Ghaghat, it was flowing 56 cm above the danger level. The water level of Korotoa has increased by 20 cm and Teesta by 24 cm.
As the water level has increased in most rivers, at least 367 villages in 62 unions of seven upazilas of the district have been affected afresh. At least 2.70 lakh people have been marooned and are facing an acute crisis of potable water, dry food, sanitation and cattle fodder. In Bogra, the overall flood situation in the district has worsened further, marooning nearly 1.5 lakh people, as the water level in the Jamuna continues to rise.
Owing to the onrush of water from the upstream and continuous rainfall, the water levels of the Jamuna and the Bangali have been flowing above the danger mark and have flooded fresh areas of the district, damaging standing crops and arable lands.
Locals and officials said more than 1.5 lakh people in Sariakandi, Sonatala, Dhunat, Adamdighi and Shibganj upazilas in the district have been marooned. Many victims have taken shelter on embankments and other high ground. The district administration has disbursed 70 metric tonnes of rice and Tk. 5.75 lakh in cash among the affected.
