The flood situation continued to improve in the northern and north-eastern districts with the water receding. However, the sufferings of the affected continue, as many of them are getting infected with water-borne diseases and are in short of food and drinking water.

Flooding caused death to 26 people in the last 24 hours ending at 11:00am, raising the death toll to 156. The government, so far, opened 1,412 flood shelters across the country, which are now home to 3.16 lakh people, according to the central flood control room.

"The Buriganga was flowing 1cm above the danger level at Dhaka yesterday evening," Ainul Kabir, assistant engineer of FFWC, said. There might be delays in significant improvement of the flood situation in the central and central-south part of the country, the FFWC reported.

Small rivers surrounding Dhaka and Narayanganj continued to swell and the Balu at Demra, the Lakhya at Narayanganj, the Turag at Mirpur and the Tongi canal at Tongi are flowing 47cm, 52cm, 48cm and 64cm above the danger levels.

"The eastern part of Dhaka is the most vulnerable to the floods. The Balu, Shitalakhya and Buriganga would swell further in the next 48 hours and inundate Madartek, Isapur, Suparibagh, Meradia, Badda, Marul Badda, Bashabo, Goran and some parts of Khilgaon and Demra," Selim Bhuiyan, former executive engineer of the FFWC told The Daily Star.

Many parts of eastern Dhaka, including Khilgaon, Demra, Badda, Merul Badda and Keraniganj, Nawabganj and Dohar are already inundated.

A visit to the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) embankment project area yesterday revealed that water is continuing to recede but water-borne diseases, including skin diseases, are spreading among the affected people.

Almost all the families living inside the DND embankment have at least one or two of its members infected with diarrhoea or other water-borne diseases. All the tube-wells in the area went under polluted water which poses a serious threat to public health.

Our Narayanganj correspondent reports: Dr PK Mohanto, dermatologist of the 200-bed hospital at Khanpur in Narayanganj, told The Daily Star that since last week, the number of patients in his hospital rose sharply. "Earlier, we used to have around 150 patients, now the number of patients is over 300," he said.

Our correspondent from Sirajganj reports: Two children died of diarrhoea and pneumonia in the last three days. They are Misti Khatun, 8, of Shimuldair of Kazipur upazila and four-month-old Julekha, daughter of Bazu Mian of Chowhali upazila.

Sources said 2,000 people have pneumonia, diarrhoea or other water-borne diseases in nine upazilas of the district. However, Sirajganj Civil Surgeon Abdur Rauf said the number was 882.

The civil surgeon's office sources said diseases are spreading due to lack of drinking water in the affected areas. Around 92 medical teams are serving in the flood-affected areas, they said. Over 13 lakh people are still marooned in chars of the district.

At least four people drowned in floodwater in the district during the last 24 hours. They are: Sabbir, 5, Israt, 7, Abdur Rashid, 7, of Ullapara and Naim, 5, of Belkuchi.

Our staff correspondent from Bogra reports: The flood-affected people, who took shelter in the government flood shelters at Sherpur upazila and other areas of the district, are not getting relief goods.

A visit to DJ High School and Municipality Primary School flood shelters at Sherpur upazila revealed that many have not received any relief in a week.

Arifa, a housewife, said many people received 10kg of rice, but she did not get anything, as her name was not on the list. The flood-affected at the shelters in Dhunat upazila also complained of not getting any relief.

Our correspondent from Magura reports: Many children in the flood-affected areas in the district are bearing the brunt of the calamity, as there is no supply of baby food.

"We, the adults, are getting at least something to eat, but there is nothing for my seven-month-old daughter," Sayera Begum of Maniknagar said.

She said she and many other mothers are feeding their children puffed rice, cornmeal and rice and biscuits dipped in water.

Our correspondent from Brahmanbaria reports: Mahfuz Mia, 2, son of Majnu Mia of Sharifpur under Sadar upazila drowned in the floodwater yesterday.

Our correspondent from Netrakona reports: Water-borne diseases are spreading in the flood-affected areas of the district and 115 diarrhoea patients have been admitted to different hospitals, district administration officials said.

Our correspondent from Munshiganj reports: With the rise of water level of the Padma, more areas of the district are going under floodwater seriously disrupting the district's internal road communication.

Meanwhile, two people--Monira Begum, 7, of Kangshopura and Islam, 22, of Ramkrishnadi--drowned in floodwater yesterday. About 50,000 people who took shelter on the Mawa-Bhagyakul embankment are under threat as the embankment has partially eroded.

Our Kishoreganj correspondent reports: Three children--Shahara Begum, 2, and Paran of Katiadi upazila and Sabu Miah, 4, of Koliarchar upazila--drowned in floodwater yesterday.

Tremendous current in the Old Brahmaputra washed away a Bailey bridge at Hussainpur upazila disrupting communication between Dhaka and Hussainpur upazila.

Our correspondent from Chandpur reports: One-and-a-half-year-old Aktar Hossain drowned in floodwater at his home in Bakrori under South Matlab upazila.