RANGPUR, – The flood situation worsened at most places today as water levels of major rivers marked rise and were flowing above their respective danger marks (DM) at ten points in the Brahmaputra basin.
Officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) said the situation worsened in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra and Sirajganj while continued improving in Rangpur, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat during the past 24 hours till 9 am today.
The flood situation might worsen further in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura and Sirajganj and continue to improve in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Nilphamari districts during the next 24 hours.
Officials of the district administrations said relief activities have been intensified in flood-hit areas of eight northern districts where the current second phase of the deluge has affected around seven lakh people in the low-lying and riverine char areas.
According to BWDB sources, the Brahmaputra was flowing 55cm above the DM at Noonkhawa and 62cm at Chilmari, Dharla by 90cm at Kurigram, Ghagot by 62cm at Gaibandha and Kartoa by 33cm above the DM at Chak Rahimpur points at 9 am today.
The Jamuna was flowing 89cm above the DM at Fulchhari in Gaibandha, 96cm at Bahadurabad in Jamalpur, 97cm at Sariakandi in Bogura, 74cm at Kazipur and 66cm at Sirajganj at 9 am.
Following fall in its water levels during the past 24 hours, the Teesta was flowing below the DM by 10cm at Dalia point in Nilphamari and 28cm at Kawnia point in Rangpur at 9am today.
Talking to BSS, Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said that flood control embankments and structures are remaining safe and protection works of riverbanks at around 40 riverside vulnerable points are continuing in the zone.
“Water levels of the Teesta might continue to recede in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari while and Dharla, Brahmaputra and Jamuna rise at other points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura and Sirajganj in the next 24 hours,” he said.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said 330 tonnes rice and Taka 18.50 lakh, 3,000 packets of dry foods and Taka two lakh for animal fodders are being distributed among 60,000 flood-hit people in the district.
DRRO of Nilphamari SA Hayat said the deluge has affected 26,000 people of 6,270 families of Dimla upazila in the district where distribution of 100 tonnes of rice, Taka one lakh and 1,000 packets of dry foods continues in full swing.
Acting DRRO of Lalmonirhat Shammi Kaiser said 299 tonnes of rice, Taka seven lakh, 3,000 packets of dry foods, Taka two lakh each for baby foods and animal fodders are being distributed among 1.77 lakh people of 39,584 families in the district.
DRRO of Gaibandha Moazzem Hossain said distribution of 330 tonnes of rice, Taka eight lakh, 3,650 packets of dry foods, Taka two lakh each for baby foods and animal fodders continues among 1.35-lakh flood-hit people of 33,500 families in the district.
Acting DRRO of Kurigram Abdul Hye Sarker said distribution of 190 tonnes of rice, Taka nine lakh, 4,000 packets of dry foods, Taka two lakh each for baby foods and animal fodders continues among 2.27 lakh flood-affected people across the district.
Talking to BSS, Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Amin Ahmed Khan said 713 medical teams are providing health services to flood-hit and other rural areas of Rangpur division.
