Diarrhoea stalks flood victims

Even as the water level of the Jamuna river has started to recede after playing havoc with the lives of over half a million people and their cattle in the northern districts, lack of proper food, water and sanitation has been plaguing the affected population.
The Independent correspondents of Bogra, Sirajganj, Kurigram and Jamalpur districts report that the ferocity of the Jamuna has waned, even though the river is still flowing above the danger mark. A vast stretch of land has remained under water for more than a week now.
The Jamuna, Teesta, Ghagot, Padma, Bangali and Atrai rivers have drowned a vast stretch of northern plains, destroying homes and croplands. Besides damaging crops, the deadly flood has also damaged the grazing grounds for cattle.
The worst-hit are farmers who were rearing cattle for the Eid-ul-Azha market, as they are now forced to sell off their animals at prices far below the actual market rate, much to the delight of cattle buyers.
Our Bogra correspondent says that farmers are selling their animals for Tk. 20,000-22,000 each, where good beef would have fetched a minimum of Tk. 30,000. Our Sirajganj and Jamalpur correspondents also tell the same tale of woe for cattle farmers.
Our Bogra correspondent reports that a total of 30 diarrhoea patients have been taken into care by medical teams in Sariakandi and Dhunut upazilas in the past three days. The authorities concerned are struggling to cope with the sudden influx of diarrhoea patients, as the local health complexes cannot accommodate the rising number of patients.
Dr Ardhendu Deb, a surgeon of Bogra, said water-borne diseases have not yet broken out in an epidemic form. Medical teams are ready to deal with any emergencies, he added. However, a number of patients have complained of lack of proper care because of shortage of medicines.
Our Jamalpur correspondent reports that with the continuous fall in the water level of the Jamuna, the overall flood situation in the district has improved. The flood has affected nearly 280,000 people in 53 unions of Jamalpur.
Last reported, three children have drowned in Bakshiganj and Islampur upazilas.
Dr Moshaerul Islam, civil surgeon of the district, said 76 medical teams in the flood-affected areas are treating 79 diarrhoea patients.
Agriculture extension officer Abdus Samad Azad said the floods have submerged standing crops in 18,645 hectares of land in the district.
The district relief and rehabilitation officer, Abul Manjur Md Abdul Hai, said they allocated 30 tonnes of rice for the flood-affected people in Islampur upazila.
Our Naogaon correspondent reports that the floods have damaged 16 primary schools in seven unions. The teachers are taking classes under tree shades.

Diarrhoea stalks flood victims

Even as the water level of the Jamuna river has started to recede after playing havoc with the lives of over half a million people and their cattle in the northern districts, lack of proper food, water and sanitation has been plaguing the affected population. The Independent correspondents of Bogra, Sirajganj, Kurigram and Jamalpur districts report that the ferocity of the Jamuna has waned, even though the river is still flowing above the danger mark. A vast stretch of land has remained under water for more than a week now. The Jamuna, Teesta, Ghagot, Padma, Bangali and Atrai rivers have drowned a vast stretch of northern plains, destroying homes and croplands. Besides damaging crops, the deadly flood has also damaged the grazing grounds for cattle. The worst-hit are farmers who were rearing cattle for the Eid-ul-Azha market, as they are now forced to sell off their animals at prices far below the actual market rate, much to the delight of cattle buyers. Our Bogra correspondent says that farmers are selling their animals for Tk. 20,000-22,000 each, where good beef would have fetched a minimum of Tk. 30,000. Our Sirajganj and Jamalpur correspondents also tell the same tale of woe for cattle farmers. Our Bogra correspondent reports that a total of 30 diarrhoea patients have been taken into care by medical teams in Sariakandi and Dhunut upazilas in the past three days. The authorities concerned are struggling to cope with the sudden influx of diarrhoea patients, as the local health complexes cannot accommodate the rising number of patients. Dr Ardhendu Deb, a surgeon of Bogra, said water-borne diseases have not yet broken out in an epidemic form. Medical teams are ready to deal with any emergencies, he added. However, a number of patients have complained of lack of proper care because of shortage of medicines. Our Jamalpur correspondent reports that with the continuous fall in the water level of the Jamuna, the overall flood situation in the district has improved. The flood has affected nearly 280,000 people in 53 unions of Jamalpur. Last reported, three children have drowned in Bakshiganj and Islampur upazilas. Dr Moshaerul Islam, civil surgeon of the district, said 76 medical teams in the flood-affected areas are treating 79 diarrhoea patients. Agriculture extension officer Abdus Samad Azad said the floods have submerged standing crops in 18,645 hectares of land in the district. The district relief and rehabilitation officer, Abul Manjur Md Abdul Hai, said they allocated 30 tonnes of rice for the flood-affected people in Islampur upazila. Our Naogaon correspondent reports that the floods have damaged 16 primary schools in seven unions. The teachers are taking classes under tree shades.