Northeast flood victims: Anything but Eid on their minds

For people in the northeast, who are struggling through the worst flood in decades, the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha is barely bring them any joy.

While some people have been stuck in floodwaters for at least three weeks, others have become homeless or landless.

Many have also lost their cattle, most of which either drowned or fell sick due to a fodder crisis.

Farmers of many areas have been starving as their crops have been damaged by the water.

Meanwhile, many flood-hit victims claimed they did not get sufficient relief from the government or even private organisations.

The recent flashfloods hit the country's north-eastern region in the second week of June. Northern areas and other districts were also gradually affected.

While water started receding in some districts, many areas remain waterlogged. In many others, river erosion has wreaked further havoc.

"Our land, house, furniture -- everything has been swallowed by the Jamuna. We don't have a place to live in or any food to eat. How are we supposed to celebrate Eid?" Jahura Begum, a resident of Chituliapara village in Tangail's Bhuapur upazila, told The Daily Star.

"We did not get any relief assistance. Local representatives visited our area on boats but didn't bring anything anything for us," said Insan Ali, another victim of erosion in the same village.

Sadek Ali, of Moulvibazar's Kulaura upazila, said, "My crops are damaged. Of the two cows that I have been rearing for the upcoming Eid, one has drowned and the other has been starving due to the fodder crisis. Celebrating Eid is the last thing on my mind this year."

Sadek's residence has been submerged for over three weeks. 

Rehana Begum, an SSC candidate and resident of Sadekpur village in the upazila, moved to a local shelter with her family after their home was inundated on June 17.

"All my  textbooks and papers have been washed away. We have been passing our days in misery. Forget celebrating, we don't even know if we can go back home for Eid."

Rahmat Ullah, 70, from Sylhet's Fenchuganj upazila, said that while floodwaters in the area have been receding, it has been slow. "We don't know when we will get our regular lives back. Eid is not bringing us any joy."

Kawsar Ahmed, of Sunamganj's Chhatak upazila, said, "We are need of relief. Preparing for Eid celebrations is out of the question."

Shahabul Islam, a flood victim in Kurigram Sadar upazila, used to support his family by fishing. The flood, however, completely damaged his fishing boat.

"I could not buy anything for my children ahead of the festival. How could I, knowing that we might not even be able to eat?"

TWO MORE DEATHS

Two more people have died by drowning in Moulvibazar, in last 24 hours till yesterday morning, reported UNB, citing the Directorate General of Health Services.

With these, the total fatalities – recorded between May 17 to July 7 -- have gone up to 112, said DGHS.

Among the total dead, 85 died by drowning, 15 from lightning strikes, two from snake bites, one from diarrhoea, and nine due to other reasons.

At least 59 people died in Sylhet division, 40 in Mymensingh, 12 in Rangpur and one in Dhaka.

(Our correspondents from Tangail, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Lalmonirhat contributed to the report.)