Flood situation improves in north

The waters of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna have fallen well below the danger levels, thereby improving the flood situation in Sirajganj and Bogra districts, two of the areas ravaged the worst by the river for nearly two weeks. The floods have affected thousands of people and destroyed many homesteads and crops.
The drop in the water level brought long-awaited relief to the people of Sirajganj Sadar, Chouhali, Enayetpur, Kazipur and Shahzadpur upazilas, where many weavers had gone out of jobs, losing their looms, dyes and yarns. Cattle lost their grazing grounds in these areas, causing losses to farmers.
Similarly, many who were living in the open—wrapped in plastic sheets—prepared to brace themselves for the battle ahead to rebuild their lives, replant the lost aman rice fields, and raise their livestock for the Eid-ul-Azha market. They now do not have to part with their cattle at throwaway prices, as many were forced to do during the floods, report our correspondents from Sirajganj and Bogra.
As they prepare to salvage whatever remains of their homes, the flood survivors are also preparing for another battle—that of repairing the tubewells which were damaged.
The Jamuna is also posing a threat to the survivors' homesteads and croplands, with severe erosion damaging the fields. Paucity of potable water has given rise to water-borne diseases.
Ripon Karmaker, an official of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), said the levels of all major rivers of the country are falling, a trend that would continue for the next 72 hours.
Only the Dhaleswari—which has remained above its danger level—would come down during the period, he said, adding that the Atrai at Baghabari, which remained stubborn until yesterday afternoon, has also come down from the danger level.
Meanwhile, sources in the met office said a low that developed in the west-central Bay of Bengal on Thursday continued to persist.
Under its influence, the weather became hot, with high humidity. Though there had been 24mm rain in the capital, it failed to bring down the maximum temperature of 34.6 degrees Celsius.

Flood situation improves in north

The waters of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna have fallen well below the danger levels, thereby improving the flood situation in Sirajganj and Bogra districts, two of the areas ravaged the worst by the river for nearly two weeks. The floods have affected thousands of people and destroyed many homesteads and crops. The drop in the water level brought long-awaited relief to the people of Sirajganj Sadar, Chouhali, Enayetpur, Kazipur and Shahzadpur upazilas, where many weavers had gone out of jobs, losing their looms, dyes and yarns. Cattle lost their grazing grounds in these areas, causing losses to farmers. Similarly, many who were living in the openwrapped in plastic sheetsprepared to brace themselves for the battle ahead to rebuild their lives, replant the lost aman rice fields, and raise their livestock for the Eid-ul-Azha market. They now do not have to part with their cattle at throwaway prices, as many were forced to do during the floods, report our correspondents from Sirajganj and Bogra. As they prepare to salvage whatever remains of their homes, the flood survivors are also preparing for another battlethat of repairing the tubewells which were damaged. The Jamuna is also posing a threat to the survivors homesteads and croplands, with severe erosion damaging the fields. Paucity of potable water has given rise to water-borne diseases. Ripon Karmaker, an official of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), said the levels of all major rivers of the country are falling, a trend that would continue for the next 72 hours. Only the Dhaleswariwhich has remained above its danger levelwould come down during the period, he said, adding that the Atrai at Baghabari, which remained stubborn until yesterday afternoon, has also come down from the danger level. Meanwhile, sources in the met office said a low that developed in the west-central Bay of Bengal on Thursday continued to persist. Under its influence, the weather became hot, with high humidity. Though there had been 24mm rain in the capital, it failed to bring down the maximum temperature of 34.6 degrees Celsius.