RAJSHAHI, Oct 6, 2020 (BSS)- Normalcy has started returning to the flood affected areas in Rajshahi, Naogaon and Natore districts as water level in the Fakinni, Barnoy, Little Jamuna, Gur and the Atrai rivers are seen receding significantly for the last couple of days.
The flood, however, caused an unprecedented devastation to the respective affected areas which will take more time to get a complete normal situation, officials said.
More than 3.5 lakh people of Bagmara, Pithiya and Durgapur upazilas of Rajshahi, Manda, Atrai and Raninagar upazilas of Naogaon and Singra Upazila in Natore districts have been affected by the floodwater.
In addition to bringing untold sufferings to the public life, standing crops on vast areas were affected besides overflowing a huge number of fish farming ponds and canals due to the fresh flood.
Only in Shingra Upazila, public assets like fishes, agriculture, livestock and other physical infrastructures valued at around Taka 200 crore were affected by the second phase flood, said Shafiqul Islam, Chairman of Shingra Upazila Parishad.
He said around 50 dwelling houses have been devoured amid the collapse of a flood protection embankment at Sholakura area. State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Polok already visited the embankment erosion area.
In the past two phases of flood, around 50 kilometers roads have been affected, he added.
Financial assistance and relief materials were distributed among the flood-victims on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the upazila chairman said.
The affected people will be rehabilitated after listing them as soon as possible.
Bagmara Upazila Chairman Anil Kumar Sarker said some 13 out of the total 16 unions of the upazila have become affected. Bhobanigonj pourasava and Borobihanli, Deep Pur, Kachari Koalipara and Jhikra Unions are the worst-affected ones.
More than one lakh people were waterlogged. Besides, 500 kutcha houses were damaged. The affected people had taken shelter at different educational institutions and other highlands. At present, they are returning to their houses.
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 affected 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 was disrupted for the previous couple of days 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.