ZCZC
BSS-47
FLOOD-SITUATION-COUNTRY
Thousands marooned as flood to worsen further in 8 districts
DHAKA, July 12, 2020 (BSS) – Flood situation may further worsen in northern districts of Kurigram and Gaibandha, northwestern Natore, north-central Bogura, Jamalpur, Sirajganj and Tangail and central district of Rajbari by tomorrow (Tuesday).
Flood is likely to remain static at the northeastern districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrokona and southeastern Feni while it may improve in northern districts of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpu in the next 24 hours, said an FFWC bulletin here.
With the deteriorated flood situation in the northern region, thousands of people marooned in eight northern districts following continuous onrush of upstream water inundating fresh areas during the last 24 hours in the upper Brahmaputra basin.
In Kurigram, the overflow of rivers including Dharala, Brahmaputra and Teesta due to onrush of upstream water coupled with heavy rainfalls both in upstream in the several Indian northeast states and West Bengal as well and northern region of Bangladesh inundate over 100 villages in 56 unions in 9 upazilas in the district.
Over two lakh people were marooned in the flooding and they are passing days with fears for their livestock, crops and essentials.
An alternative flood control embankment got damaged this morning due to onrush of water of river Dharala at Sardob area under Sadar upazila and it resulted inundating of fresh 20 villages.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim told BSS that they are making all-out efforts to stand by flood victims in the low-lying areas, people are being shifted to safer places as 438 shelter centers including buildings of educational institutions were kept ready for the people.
Besides, sufficient relief goods have been allotted for the victims, he added.
Acting District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) for Kurigram Abdul Hye Sarker said 170 tonnes of rice, Taka four lakh, 2,000 packets of dry foods, Taka two lakh each for baby foods and animal fodders have been allocated for distribution in the district.
“Around 91,116 lakh people of 22,779 families of 448 villages in 56 unions under all nine upazilas in the district have been affected by the second phase of the deluge this season,” he said.
Officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said major rivers were flowing above danger marks (DM) at 11 points of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra and Sirajganj districts at 9 am today.
Talking to BSS today, Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said water levels of the Teesta and Dharla might start receding in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts the next 24 hours.
He visited the TBP, its flood bypass structure and adjoining areas in Nilphamari and adjoining Lalmonirhat to monitor the flood situation and safety of flood control structures from 1am to 5am today.
“I am visiting flood-hit areas alongside the rivers Dharla and Brahmaputra in Kurigram today,” Ghosh said, adding that all flood control embankments and structures are remaining safe under Rangpur zone of BWDB in Rangpur division.
Meanwhile, the government has launched relief operations as the second phase of deluge exposed thousands of people to sufferings following inundation of vast low-lying areas in the affected districts in the Brahmaputra basin.
DRRO for Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said the district administration has allocated 100 tonnes of rice, Taka four lakh 1,500 packets of dry foods and Taka two lakh for animal fodders for distribution among flood-hit people of three upazilas in the district.
“Around 55,000 people of some 18,000 families have become marooned in the low-lying areas Gangachara, Kawnia and Pirgachha upazilas of the district during the current phase of the deluge in the district,” he added.
Our Sylhet divisional office reports: Thousands of people are passing days in a worsened flood situation in low-lying, haor and beel areas in northeastern districts of Sylhet and Sunamganj and some areas in Habiganj as well.
People of Sumamganj are experiencing the worse spikes of flood as low-lying areas in Chhatak, Doyarabazar, South Sunamganj and Jagannathpur upazila have been gone under water due to overflowing water levels of river Surma at different points caused by onrush of upstream water along with heavy to very heavy rainfall.
District town’s road communications have been cut off with Tahirpur, Bishwambarpur, Doyarabazar, Chhatak and Jamalganj upazilas besides communications between some upazilas were also cut off as roads went under flood waters.
Our Jamalpur Correspondent reports: The people of the district are witnessing the second phase of floods this season within a span of last four days as water levels in the rive Jamuna was in the rising trend with flowing above its danger marks at five points.
According to Water Development Board, Jamuna marked a 38cm rise during the last 24 hours flowing 64cm above it danger mark at Bahadurabad ghat point in the district till 12 noon today.
Low-lying areas in a total of 13 unions in Islampur and Dewanganj upazilas under the district were inundated in the fresh flood as Department of Agriculture Extension deputy director Aminul Islam told BSS standing crops on 6086 hectares of land, T-Aman seed bed on 194 hectares, Aush paddy on 1327 hectares and jute on 4565 hectares went under huge deluge.
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