DHAKA, July 16, 2020 (BSS) – State Minister for Disaster Management
and Relief Md Enamur Rahman today said a total of 4,850 tonnes of rice
have been distributed in the flood-hit areas across the country.
“Taka 1.91 crore has been allocated in cash for the flood-hit
districts. A total of 35,822 packets of dry food have already been
distributed among the people in the flood affected areas,” he told a
virtual briefing from his ministry office here.
The state minister said Taka 21 lakh has been spent for purchasing
baby foods and Taka 21 lakh for cattle feed.
A total of 18 districts of the country have so far been affected by
flood and 22,46,000 people of 4,87,376 water marooned families have
been affected by the deluge, Enamur said, adding, a total of eight
people, including four in Jamalpur, one in Lalmonirhat, one in
Sunamganj, one in Sylhet and one in Tangail, have been died due to
flood situation.
Noting that a total of 535 unions of 92 upazilas have been hit by
the flood, he said, “We hope the flood this year will not be long
lasting”.
Referring to the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s flood
forecast, the state minister said the water of the rivers has already
started receding while there is a prediction that the water of the
rivers, which are now on increasing trend, will start receding in the
next 48 hours.
Enamur said 1,544 shelters have been opened in 12 mostly flood-hit
districts, where 30,705 people and 56,031 cattle have taken shelter.
Although 596 medical teams have been formed, 197 of them are
working, he said, adding that members of Ansar, village police,
volunteers and NGO representatives are also working in the shelter
centers.
Stating that cooked food is being provided in shelters in 12
districts, the state minister said Awami League leaders and activists
have been requested to help in preparing and distributing the food.
In wake of the COVID-19 infection, he said all have been directed
to use masks, maintaining the social distance in the shelter centers
following health guidelines.
Replying to a query of journalist, Enamur said the floods did not
cause any damage to paddy as the crop has already been harvested in
all the districts.
“But jute, pulses and vegetables have been damaged due to flood.
The seedbed of Aman paddy has been damaged,” he said, adding, the
Ministry of Agriculture, however, will provide rice seedlings to the
farmers free by preparing the seedbed for Aman in high places.