Thousands marooned as floods tighten grip
Flood situation in at least nine districts has deteriorated due to a sharp rise of water level in the three major rivers and a tributary in 24 hours till 06:00pm yesterday.
The Jamuna, Padma, Meghna and Arial Khan will continue to swell in the next 24 to 48 hours, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said yesterday evening.
The affected districts include Kurigram, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Rajbari, Faridpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Munshiganj and Manikganj.
About 1.5 lakh people in these districts have become marooned with their houses submerged.
According to a bulletin issued by the FFWC, the Jamuna was flowing 43 cm above the danger level at Siraganj point and the Padma 55cm above the red mark at Bhagyakul point and 65cm above it at Goalundo point.
Executive Engineer of the centre Amirul Hosain said water level at 11 measuring points out of 73 across the country was above danger level, it was rising at 40 points, falling at 28 points and remained steady at four points.
The upstream water flow from Assam and Arunachal states of India following heavy rainfall is the main reason for the rise of water level of the rivers in Bangladesh, he added.
Meanwhile, some officials the centre said yesterday flood situation in Sylhet will improve in the next 24 hours.
Our Sirajganj correspondent reports: Houses and farmlands of around 1,000 people in Chowhali, Shajadpur, Belkuchi, Kazipur and Sadar upazila have been flooded as the Jamuna rose sharply.
The flood control embankment at Shahjadpur might be damaged due to strong current of the mighty river, locals feared.
A severe crisis of drinking water is causing sufferings to the flood-hit people.
Our Kurigram correspondent reports: Flood situation in the district deteriorated yesterday as the Jamuna crossed danger level at Chilmari point in Chilmari upazilas.
Around 85 thousand people of 51 villages in Sadar, Ulipur, Chilmari, Raumari and Rajibpur upazilas have become marooned, according to local union parishad chairmen and agriculture office sources.
Many of the affected people have taken shelter on nearby embankment, roads, flood shelters and schools. They are facing scarcity of food and drinking water.
Contacted, Deputy Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman said he had already contacted the higher authorities asking for food, clothes and monetary help for the flood- hit.
Our Madaripur correspondent said flood situation in the district worsened as the Arial Khan crossed red mark.
Movement of vehicles on Madaripur-Charmugira-Sreenadi road stopped as a 200-foot stretch of the road was damaged by gushing flood waters.
Around 50,000 people in Sadar and Rajoir upazilas have been affected.
Our Pabna correspondent reports: Rapid rise of the Jamuna at Kaitola point in Bera upazila might inundate fresh areas in the district.
The river is still flowing bellow danger level. If it rises for 2 or 3 days more, it would cross red mark, said an official concerned.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Amjad Hossain said the upazila administration has not yet submitted any report on the flood situation. "But we are monitoring the situation."
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