Flood worsens in six districts

Swelling rivers have worsened flooding in six districts.

The Jamuna was flowing 18cm above the danger level at one place in Sirajganj yesterday, according to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).

In Tangail, vast areas have been flooded as the Jhanai was flowing 59cm above the danger level at Jokarchar, Jamuna 19cm at Porabari, and the Dhaleshwari 10cm at Elasin yesterday morning, according to BWDB.

Educational institutions in the flood-hit areas remained closed, said locals.

"Flood water started entering our house in the morning," said Laboni Ghosh, a resident of Kostapra in Bhuapur upazila.

In Jamalpur, homes of around 40,000 people have been flooded by the Jamuna, said Alamgir Hossain, the district relief officer.

The river was flowing 30cm above the danger level at Bahadurabad Ghat, according to BWDB.

At least 120 villages of Dewanganj upazila have been inundated. Academic activities at 28 educational institutions have been suspended, according to local administration.

People and their farm animals have taken shelter at flood centres. Local government representatives from the areas say people are suffering from shortage of food and water.

In Gaibandha, the Brahmaputra was flowing 26cm above the danger level at Fulchari yesterday afternoon.

"My house has been under water for five days. We don't have enough food and drinking water," said Abdul Kuddus, 65, a resident of Fulchari's Guptamoni area.

Fulchari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Anisur Rahman said relief efforts will begin today.

In Bogura, the Jamuna was flowing 21cm above danger level at Sariakandi, flooding around 172 hectares of farmland, officials said.

"I cultivated Aush paddy on two bighas of land. But the crop is under water now," said a farmer named Rafiqul Islam.

In Kurigram, over 30,000 people of low-lying areas have been affected by floods caused by the Brahmaputra.

"We are trying to provide food and drinking water among the people," said Bablu Mia, chairman of Begumganj Union Parishad in Ulipur.

Floods may take a turn for the worse Chilmari if an old embankment collapses, according to locals and BWDB officials.

[Our correspondents from Pabna, Tangail, Jamalpur, Bogura and Lalmonirhat contributed to the report]