RAJSHAHI, Oct 26, 2020 (BSS) – More than 2.01 lakh flood-affected families consisting around 9.03 lakh people in different districts of the division have, so far, received relief materials to defeat their livelihood related hardships caused by the natural disaster.
As part of its rehabilitation programme coupled with instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the catastrophic situation, the government has allocated 2,008.1 tonnes of rice, Taka 49.74 lakh in cash, 24,030 packets of dry-food, Taka 29 lakh for baby food and Taka 36 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 final stage.
Apart from this, 1,837.9 tonnes of rice, Taka 29.53 lakh, 2,867 packets of dry food, Taka one lakh for baby food and Taka five lakh for animal feed remain in stock for distribution, he said.
Meanwhile, the affected people are getting back to their normal life at present. The flood, however, left a trail of destruction in the respective affected areas, particularly Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore, Bogura and Sirajgonj districts.
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 three to four phases of floods from July to September.
Standing crops on around 21,210 hectares of croplands worth about Taka 255.73 crore have been damaged by the latest flood waters affecting over 1.43 lakh farming families in different districts under Rajshahi division, officials said.
Various crops like transplanted aman paddy, blackgram, advanced vegetables, groundnut, betel leaf, banana, green chili and direct-seeded aman paddy were affected badly by the floodwater.
Latest official data said the deluge has affected the transplanted aman on 16,256 hectares of land, vegetables on 7,392 hectares, blackgram on 3,864 hectares and betel leaf on 25 hectares of land.
Only in Shingra Upazila in Natore, public assets like fishes, agriculture, livestock and other physical infrastructures valued around Taka 200 crore were affected by the second phase of 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 in Sholakura area.
In the three phases of flood, around 50 kilometers roads have been affected, he added.
Financial assistance and relief materials are being distributed among the flood-victims on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the upazila chairman said, adding the affected people will be rehabilitated in phases.
Bagmara Upazila Chairman Anil Kumar Sarker said some 13 out of the total 16 unions of the upazila have become affected by marooning more than one lakh people. Besides, 500 clay houses were damaged.
Puthiya Upazila Chairman GM Hira Bachhu said the extent of losses by the flood may be 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 been affected by the flood.
Hatkalupara Union Chairman Abdus Sukur Sarder said his union is the worst-affected among eight unions of the upazila by the entire first, second and third phases of flood.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sanaul Haque said they are distributing relief materials among the flood affected people.