RANGPUR, July 29, 2020 (BSS) – The flood situation improved further with continuous fall in water levels of major rivers in the Brahmaputra basin amid no rains recorded in the northwestern Indian states during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am today.
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said water levels of all major rivers excepting Dharla and Teesta marked further sharp fall with reduction in the rate of onrushing hilly water from the upper catchment during the period.
Despite continuous fall in their water levels during the past couple of days, the Dharla, Ghagot, Brahmaputra and Jamuna were still flowing above the DM at eight points in the basin at 9 am today.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of BWDB sources, the flood situation might continue to improve further in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogura, Jamalpur and Sirajganj districts during the next 24 hours.
BWDB officials said the Brahmaputra was flowing above the DM by only 28cm at Chilmari, Dharla only 7cm at Kurigram and Ghagot 38cm at Gaibandha points at 9 am today.
Meanwhile, the Jamuna was flowing above the DMs by 61cm at Fulchhari, 72cm at Bahadurabad, 82cm at Sariakandi, 62cm at Kazipur and 60cm at Sirajganj points at 9 am today.
Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman for BWDB’s Gaibandha division said incidents of sporadic riverbank erosions are being reported from some vulnerable riverside points where protection works are continuing in the district.
Executive Engineer of BWDB for its Kurigram and Lalmonirhat divisions Ariful Islam said riverbank protection works are continuing at several vulnerable points in these districts where the flood situation continues improving.
Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh told BSS that incidents of sporadic riverbank erosion have been reported from various vulnerable riverside areas in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Rangpur districts.
“All of the flood control structures of BWDB are remaining safe in Rangpur zone where riverbank protection works are being conducted at vulnerable points when and where necessary,” Ghosh added.
Talking to BSS, Additional Divisional Commission (General) Md. Zakir Hossain said the district administrations have further intensified relief activities in flood-affected northern districts.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Kurigram Abdul Hye Sarker said the second phase flood has affected over 2.50 lakh people of 62,630 families of 475 villages in 56 unions of all nine upazilas in the district this season.
“Distributing 190 tonnes of rice, Taka 13 lakh, 6,000 packets of dry foods, Taka six lakh for baby foods and Taka nine lakh animal fodders continues in full swing among flood-affected people in three upazilas of the district,” Hye added.
DRRO of Gaibandha Moazzem Hossain said more than 2.50 lakh people have been affected by flood in 44 unions and one municipality of six upazilas in the district.
“We are distributing 350 tonnes of rice, Taka eight lakh, 5,650 packets of dry foods, Taka two lakh for baby foods and Taka seven lakh for animal fodders continues in full swing among flood-hit people across the district,” Hossain said.
Similarly, the district administrations are continuing distribution of relief materials and cash money among flood-hit people in all affected areas of other northern districts in the Brahmaputra basin.
Talking to BSS, Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Amin Ahmed Khan said 713 medical teams are extending health services to the people residing in flood-prone and other rural areas across Rangpur division.