Kurigram floods worsen, affected people seek relief

The overall flood situation has worsened further as water of Dharla, Teesta, Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra of Kurigram has increased due to onrush of water from the upstream and heavy rainfall.

The residents at the char areas are unable to join work as they are marooned. Their food stock has finished. Food, safe drinking water and cattle feed crisis has intensified at the char areas. The flood affected people are not getting adequate relief. They rush forward as soon as they see any boats.

According to the Water Development Board till 12:00pm on Saturday, water of all rivers in Kurigram continues to rise.

Of the main rivers in the district, Dharla at sadar point is flowing above 3 centimetersabove danger level, Brahmaputra river at Chilmari point 71 cm above danger level, Nunkhaoa point 65 cm above danger level and at Hatia point 69 cm above danger level and Dudhkumar river at Pateshwari point is flowing 28 cm above danger level.

However, although the water of Teesta has increased, it is flowing 31 cm below danger level.

Visiting several unions of Nageshwari, Ulipur and sadar upazilas on Friday and today, Saturday, it is seen that the flood situation has worsened due to onrush of water from the upstream. Fresh areas of char and houses are being inundated as water of Brahmaputra and Dudhkumar rivers has increased.

There is chest-deep water and neck-deep water in some houses of flood affected people. Some of them are staying at local schools, Eidgah grounds, boats, and on banana tree rafts.

Cooking in many houses is suspended due to lack of rice, lentils and oil while many people have rice and lentils but they cannot cook as their stoves are under water. Under such circumstances, people rush forward as soon as they hear the sound of an engine boat. Although the government has launched relief activities, 60 per cent of the people have not got relief.

Flood affected people have been suffering from various water-borne diseases.

Kurigram civil surgeon Md Manjur A Murshed said 83 medical teams including teams of the civil service office and each upazila are working to provide treatment to the flood affected people of the district. A control room has been opened at the civil service office to deliver immediate services to the flood affected people.

While collecting news at Dakshin Kapnar char of Nunkhoa union of Nageshwari yesterday, Friday and Shaheber Aglar char today, Saturday, people rushed to the bank of the river and encircled the boat.

Kapnar char resident Rafiqul Islam said he works as a mason and runs his family of 11 members. He has been stranded after coming home during the Eid.

He said, "I couldn't imagine that the flood water would swell in such a way. There is no work. There is no food in the home. We are suffering from a food crisis. We have not got any relief."

Deputy commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif, speaking to Prothom Alo, said there is adequate allocation of relief. Relief is being sent coordinating with  upazila administration and local chairman.

Relief will be sent to the chars immediately, where relief has not been sent yet, he added.