RAJSHAHI, Aug 31, 2020 (BSS) – Around 2.17 lakh families consisting 8.65 lakh people affected badly by the flood have, so far, received relief materials to mitigate their livelihood related hardships caused by the natural catastrophe in different districts under Rajshahi division.
The government, as part of its instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the disastrous situation, had allocated 1,521 tonnes of rice, Taka 38.09 lakh in cash, 16,580 packets of dry-food, Taka 21 lakh for baby food and Taka 40 lakh for animal feed.
Moinul Islam, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division, said distribution of the allocated relief materials among the affected families in the division is on the final stage.
Apart from this, 2,239 tonnes of rice, Taka 37.41 lakh, 3,620 packets of dry food, Taka three lakh for baby food and Taka six lakh for animal feed remain in stock for distribution.
Moinul Islam said sixty-four unions in Sirajganj, 24 in Bogura and 19 each in Pabna, Naogaon and Natore districts are the worst affected ones.
Standing crops on around 52,983 hectares of croplands worth around Taka 477.29 crore have been damaged by the floodwaters affecting over 3.75 lakh farming families in the division.
Various standing crops like newly transplanted aush and aman paddy, aman seedbeds, direct seeded aman, vegetables, maize and green chili were affected by the floodwater.
Particularly, the deluge has affected aush paddy on 11,433 hectares, aman seedbeds on 1,068 hectares, transplanted aman on 1,007 hectares and vegetables on 3,638 hectares of land. In Sirajganj district, crops on 23,365 hectares of lands were affected followed by 7,555 hectares in Bogura, 3,958 hectares in Pabna, 2,718 hectares in Naogaon, 2,000 hectares in Rajshahi, 1,480 hectares in Chapainawabganj and 1,406 hectares in Natore districts.
“We have already encouraged the farmers to transplant seedlings of aman paddy in some of the affected areas again after receding flood water in Natore and Naogaon districts,” said Sudhendra Nath Roy, Additional Director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
He, however, said the flood situation has been improving significantly for the last couple of days as a result of continuous recession of water level in the rivers.
The flood affected people have started returning back to their normal life in wake of the recession of the water level.
Moinul Islam said the district and upazila administrations with local public representatives have been conducting the relief distribution activities in the worst-affected areas through maintaining transparency and accountability everywhere in the affected areas.
He also said the district administrations and BWDB are also closely monitoring the situation and taking instant steps when and where necessary during the deluge in Rajshahi division.