Two children drowned in floodwater that inundated vast areas in Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Ullapara, Shahzadpur and Chowhali upazilas.

The victims are Rubel, 6, of Jalalpur village in Chowhali upazila and Moni of Polashpur village in Kazipur upazila, according to administration sources.

More areas are being flooded as waters are gushing through two breaches in Jamuna flood control embankments at Polashpur and Khoksabari.

The Jamuna swelled by 25 centremetres in last four days, Water Development Board sources said yesterday. Rise of the river is tapering off, recording a rise of two centimetres in last 24 hours, they said.

The worst affected villages are Kunkunia, Paikortoly, Boroitoly, Kobihar, Alompur, Biara, Beripotol, Kamarpara, Mirarpara, Boroitola, Mathailchapor, Bhobanipur and Lakshmipur, Maizbari, Gandhail, Chalitadanga and Sonamukhi in Kazipur upazila; Ratonkandi, Bahuka, Khokshabari, Chhongachha, Shimla, Bohuli and Ranigram in Sirajganj Sadar; Kaizuri, Gudhibari, Porzona and Sontola in Shahzadpur; Randhunibari, Chala, Shahbazpur and Shohagpur in Belkuchi; and Betil, Enayetpur, Chorzan, Jalalpur and Omarpur in Chowhali upazila.

Victims in the areas face crisis of drinking water.

Many families in the affected areas have shifted to safer places like highways, embankments and educational institutions.

Administration sources said hundreds of handloom factories remained inoperative and at least 20 educational institutions have been closed in Kazipur upazila.

District Agriculture Extension Department sources said flood has damaged newly transplanted Aman crops, jute, vegetables and sugarcane.

This correspondent during a visit to Kazipur upazila saw several hundred affected people taking shelter on Sirajganj-Kazipur roadside. They said neither the government not any NGO came to their aid.

Julekha Khatun, 38, wife of Moktar Hossain of Dublai village, said they took shelter on the roadside five days ago and face food crisis as her husband is without work.