Flood situation worsens in four districts

The overall flood situation in Lalmonirhat, Sunamganj, Kurigram and Nilphamari has worsened due to an increase of the water level after rainfall, leaving hundreds of thousands of people marooned.

In Lalmonirhat, the flood situation in the 12 upazilas of the district deteriorated on Saturday due to the rise of Teesta's water level, rendering 50,000 people stranded.

Teesta was flowing 20cm above the danger level at Doani Point in Hatibandha upazila of the district in the morning, causing immense suffering to the people.

The river embankment at Taler Mor under Gaddimari union of Hatibandha upazila has collapsed in the flood water, forcing many people to take shelter on the road.

Atier Rahman, chairman of Gaddimari union said, sacks of sand were placed at the damaged point of the embankment but the local authorities concerned of the Water Development Board did not take any steps to protect the dam.

Hafizul Haque, deputy divisional engineer of Water Development Board's Dalia branch, said, "This year the flood situation may prolong for many days. That’s why the water level of Teesta is flowing above its danger mark.”

Besides, no relief materials or government assistance have come yet, intensifying the woes of the flood-hit people.

Deputy commissioner Abu Zafar said they are receiving information of the overall flood situation through the UNO and public representatives and preparation is going on to provide relief materials among the flood victims.

In Sunamganj, hundreds of thousands of people were marooned as torrential rainfall and onrush of upstream water pushed up the water level.

Many parts of the Sunamganj district town and Doarabazar, Tahirpur, Bishwambharpur, Dakkhin Sunamganj, Dirai, Shalla of Chhatak and many low-lying areas have been newly flooded.

According to the Water Development Board, Surma was flowing 54cm above the danger level at Shologhar point in the last 24 hours till Saturday morning while 133mm rainfall has been recorded.

Besides, Surma water has been flowing 166cm above its red mark in Chhatak in the last 24 hours. Many roads and houses in Chattak municipality and Kazir point, Ukilpara, Natunpara, Boropara, Shahebbari ghat, Shologhor Hazipara, Jamtala in the district town of Sunamganj went under water.

Road communication in many parts of the district including the district town was snapped as all the roads were inundated by the rising flood water.

Besides, the standing crops and vegetable fields were damaged while fishes of many ponds were washed away.

The government has allocated 400MT rice, Tk 800,000 cash, Tk 300,000 cash for baby food, Tk 200,000 for fodder and 2,000 packets of dry foods for the flood-affected people.

Mohammad Abdul Ahad, the deputy commissioner, said shelter centres have been opened while volunteers from district and local administration have been kept ready.

In Nilphamari, the situation has worsened as the water level of the Teesta river is rising and inundating more areas.

Teesta is flowing 24cm above the danger level at Dalia point at 6:00am on Saturday, leaving around 5,000 people marooned in the low-lying areas.

The flood forecasting centre of the Dalia Water Development Board in Nilphamari said the water level in the Teesta has been rising since Friday night.

The 44 water gates of Teesta Barrage have been kept open to control the flow of water.

About 5,000 people in five unions living near the Teesta river banks in Dimla Upazila have been marooned, said the chairmen of those unions.

Meanwhile, people and cattle have been evacuated from Chhatnai, Jharsingeshwar, Charkharibari, East Kharibari, West Kharibari, Teesta Bazar, Baishpukur, Chatunama and Vendabari areas.

Rabiul Islam, executive engineer of WDB of Dalia, said the flood situation has taken a serious turn following onrush of water from the upstreams.

In Kurigram, flood situation and erosion have taken serious turns.

The flood control dam in Ververi area of Holokhana union in the district headquarters is under threat.

According to WDB, in the last 24 hours, the water level in the Teesta has risen by 28cm and is flowing 2cm below the danger level.

Besides, the water levels in Dharla have increased by 15cm, at Nunkhawa point of the Brahmaputra river by 19cm and at Chilmari point by 14cm.