Flood situation in Kurigram worsens

Flood situation in Kurigram has worsened as the Brahmaputra and Dharla rivers continue to inundate fresh areas.

Around one lakh people of over 300 villages and shoal areas of 40 unions under seven upazilas have been marooned due to downpour and onrush of water from the upstream for the last six days, reports our Kurigram correspondent.

Meanwhile, the overall flood situation in Lalmonirhat, however, has improved, according to our district correspondent.

In Kurigram, the Brahmaputra and Dharla were flowing above the danger levels at 6:00pm yesterday, said Water Development Board officials.

According to the district flood control room, at least 44,311 families have been affected by the flood till now. Besides, use of about 108 kilometres of different roads and 65 educational and religious institutions have been hampered. Crop fields of around 14,000 farmers have been damaged.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Khan Mohammad Nurul Amin said, “Ninety-two tonnes of rice and Tk 10.94 lakh were distributed among the flood-hit. A letter seeking 500 more tonnes of rice and Tk 10 lakh was sent to the ministry concerned.”

In Lalmonirhat, the day labourers are not getting jobs, prompting them to wait for relief. “I got only 5kg of rice, some dry food items on Wednesday, but it was very insufficient for my six-member family,” said farm labourer Soleman Miah, 48, of Bagdora village in Sadar upazila.

Jelal Uddin, 48, of the village, said he has been without jobs since Saturday. “Flood water is going down but we are still facing crisis.” "Now we have to take loan on condition of interest,” said Delowar Hossain, 50.

Aditmari upazila's Mahishkhocha Union Parishad chairman Mosaddeque Hossain said only 200 families of 2,300 badly affected ones were given relief.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Idris Ali said he has already asked for more relief materials.