Hundreds take shelter at flood centres amid risk of Covid-19 infection
Hundreds of flood-hit people have taken shelter at ten flood centres in three upazilas of the district amid a risk of Covid-19 infection It is hard to maintain social distancing as large numbers of people are staying in congested spaces.
According to the district and upazila administrations, about 700 families have stayed in six flood shelters of Thakurgaon municipality and Kharibari Kacharipukur Government Primary School in Dholar Haat union of Sadar upazila and Community Centre in Debipur union.
On the other hand, three hundred families of Ranishankoil and one hundred families of Baliadangi upazila are staying in temporary shelters.
Each family was given 10 kg of rice as food aid, sources said.
They were also distributing cooked food among flood-affected people, said Deputy Commissioner (DC) KM Kamruzzaman Selim.
After visiting several temporary shelters in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila on Monday night, it was seen that a number of people were staying in the congested spaces amid a risk of coronavirus infection.
Bimal Mardi, 60, who took shelter at Thakurgaon Government College, said he along with five members of his family has been staying here since Sunday night as their house was submerged under floodwater.
They have been passing hard days in the crisis time, he said.
Jamila Khatun, 55, of DC slum area adjacent to the Tangan river, who took shelter at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, said "The connecting road leading to the main road in front of Shilpakala Academy from our DC basti had collapsed due to overflowing of the Tangon river.
In this situation, around 500 families could not reach the main road, she said, adding that later, they took shelter at the flood centre.
Jamila further added that the centre became so over-crowded due to lack of space. As a result, it is tough to maintain social distancing here.
Sundar Ali, 49, a resident of Khalpara, said he took shelter at Bulbul Government Primary School with his wife and two daughters. He also took a cow and a goat to the flood centre.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Nur Kutubul Alam said the flood-hit people who are staying at different shelters have been asked to follow health guidelines to avoid virus.
DC Selim said the district administration has taken initiative to distribute rice among the flood-affected families. They have also received cooked food.
He further added that the local administration has been asked to provide all kinds of assistance from their side till the situation returns to normal.
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