Flood worsens in 6 southern districts

The flood situation has worsened in at least six districts of the southern coastal region due to rainfall and high tide.

It may further deteriorate as rainfall is likely to continue.

"There is chance of moderate to heavy rainfall in the south-western and south-central coastal regions of the country in next 24 hours," said a bulletin of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

"Rivers in this region may rise rapidly during this time," said the bulletin that was released at 9:00am yesterday.

Around 50 lakhs people of 160 upazilas under 33 districts are still affected by flood, said a report National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRCC).

Our correspondents from different districts reported on their respective flood situations.

In Bagerhat, more areas have been inundated due to the water levels of adjacent rivers increasing following incessant rains for the last four days and tidal surges.

Several thoroughfares and markets in the district headquarters have also been flooded. Many houses have been inundated and fish enclosures have been washed away.

"The tidal water has been increasing with incessant rains. Over 100 fish enclosures, including ours, have been submerged," said Abdul Halim, a resident of Uttar Fulhata village in Morrelganj upazila.

"We were cultivating fish in the pond covering around 22 bighas of land. I had to invest Tk 7 lakh for this purpose. But all the fish have gone away as our pond has overflowed due to the flood," said Kaikobad Mridha, a resident of Ghashiakhali village, under the same upazila.

Another flood victim Rabiul Sheikh, a resident of Chitalmari upazila, said many vegetable gardens have been damaged due to water-logging.

Meanwhile, several thousand fishermen have been stranded in the Sundarbans due to rough weather.

Contacted, Joynal Abedin, assistant forest conservator of the Sharankhola Range in the East Sundarbans Division, said fishermen usually take shelter in forest canals when there is a storm at sea, and the same has happened this time. If any fisherman faces problems at sea, the forest department tries to rescue them.

Local agriculture and fisheries officials could not tell the exact the amount of damage and said it would take more time to estimate it.

In Barishal division, water levels of most of the rivers, including Meghna, Tetulia, Bishkhali, Kocha, Boleswar , Payra and Kirtankhola, have risen.

The Meghna was flowing 74cm above danger level at Daulatkhan point of Bhola, Tetulia was flowing 40cm above danger level at Bhola Kheya Ghat point and Kirtonkhola river was flowing above eight cm above danger level at Barishal town, said Water Development Board officials.

Flood-affected people are enduring immense sufferings amid a crisis of food and shortage of drinking water.

Local administrations have already taken necessary measures to protect embankments by dumping GEO bags in different areas.

At least 72 shoals have already been submerged by high tides in Bhola.

"As we are residents of coastal areas, we are familiar with tides and waves. But I have not seen such severe high tides in my entire life," said Abdur Rakib, a resident of Manpura Beribandh area of Bhola.

"I have a shop at Ulania Bazar in Mehendiganj upazila . It has been inundated by four to five feet of water. Many products of my shop has been damaged," said Saikat, a resident of the same area.

In Manikganj, the Jamuna is swelling again but was still flowing 28 cm below danger level at Aricha point.

(Our correspondents from Barishal, Bagerhat and Manikganj contributed to the story.)