Rivers swell, sufferings intensify
Sufferings of flood-hit people in the northern and north-eastern regions have intensified as rivers continued to swell.
Many of them have their houses and properties inundated for the second time in less than a month.
In Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, the flood situation deteriorated yesterday as the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Dharla rivers were flowing above the danger level.
Water levels in the rivers are on the rise due to incessant rains in the last few days and onrush of water from upstream hills, said Ariful Islam, executive engineer at Kurigram Water Development Board (WDB).
Shaheda Bewa, 63, a flood victim of Shiberpachhi area under Kurigram Sadar upazila, said, "We are going through untold sufferings. Last month we endured the same sufferings for two weeks."
Sirajul Islam, 55, a flood-hit farmer of Gobordhan village in Lalmonirhat's Aditmari upazila, said, "Our house and other properties have been submerged. We along with our livestock have taken shelter on roads for survival. We have no food. We are now depending on some dry food provided by some of our relatives," said.
In Sirajganj, the flood situation has deteriorated rapidly posing a threat of long-term flood.
Jamuna may cross the danger level today as the river is swelling up rapidly, said AKM Rafikul Islam, sub-divisional engineer at Sirajganj WDB.
In Rangpur, people in three upazilas -- Gangachara, Kaunia and Pirgachha -- have been marooned as flash flood hit the area after the water level of Teesta rose.
People were seen commuting by boats and rafts made with banana trees. Many fish ponds have been washed away.
Government officials said they already started distributing relief among the victims.
In Nilphamari, the swollen Teesta has inundated 15 shoals and low lying areas in Dimla and Jaldhaka upazila, causing immense suffering to people living in these areas.
In Sunamganj, people of all the 11 upazilas are in peril as the flash flood hit the region for the second time amid the pandemic.
Fish farmers have incurred a huge loss and farmers would entirely lose their crops if the flood prolongs a few more days.
The Surma river was flowing 42 centimetres at Sunamganj town point yesterday morning.
Johirul Alam, district relief and rehabilitation officer of Sunamganj, said, "We are distributing 336.9 tonnes of rice, Tk 20,18,500 and 3,600 packets of dry foods among the victims. We opened 269 shelter centres in the district".
In Sylhet, the Surma was flowing at 80cm above the danger level at Kanaighat point yesterday morning, affecting around 48,000 families in five upazilas.
Shofiq Uddin Ahmed, district relief and rehabilitation officer in Sylhet, said, "We've already disbursed 115 tonnes of rice and 900 packets of dry foods among the affected people."
Our correspondents from Lalmonirhat, Pabna, Dinajpur, Sylhet and Nilphamari contributed to this report.
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