RAJSHAHI, Oct 3, 2020 (BSS) – Around 2.5 lakh people of Bagmara, Pithiya and Durgapur upazilas of Rajshahi and Manda, Atrai and Raninagar upazilas of Naogaon districts have become waterlogged and marooned afresh.
The public sufferings came after rising water levels in the Fakinni, Barnoy, Little Jamuna and the Atrai rivers because of onrushing of flood water from the upstream hilly catchment areas during the last couple of days, officials said.
Standing crops on vast areas were also inundated besides affecting fish farming ponds and canals due to the fresh flood.
Bagmara Upazila Chairman Anil Kumar Sarker said some 13 out of the total 16 unions of the upazila have become inundated. Bhobanigonj pourasava and Borobihanli, Deep Pur, Kachari Koalipara and Jhikra Unions are the worst-affected ones.
More than one lakh people have been waterlogged. Besides, 500 kutcha houses were damaged. The affected people have taken shelter at different educational institutions and other highlands.
Anil Kumar said Kachari Koalipara Union Parishad Complex has been affected badly.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sharif Ahmed said officials of the line departments were given instruction to assess the extent of losses caused by the flood.
Puthiya Upazila Chairman GM Hira Bachhu said the extent of losses by the flood may be at Taka 10 crore in his upazila. Upazila Project Implementation Officer Faridul Islam said measures were taken to support the affected people.
In Atrai Upazila of Naogaon district, more than one lakh people have become waterlogged amid rising water level in Atrai River. At least 15 houses were devoured due to collapsing of flood protection embankment of Nagar River.
Communication on Atrai-Patisar road remained disrupted as water was overflowing on the Kasiabari Sluice Gate.
Hatkalupara Union Chairman Abdus Sukur Sarder said his union is the worst-affected among eight unions of the upazila by all the first, second and third phases flood.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sanaul Haque said they are distributing relief materials among the flood affected people.
Shamsul Wadud, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Naogaon said standing crops on 5,507 hectares of land and vegetables on 4,011 hectares of land have, so far, been damaged by the floodwater in the district.