Dhaka, Aug 11 – The overall flood situation has worsened in Jessore and Narayanganj districts with the rise of water level in the adjacent rivers, leaving thousands of people marooned. The Health Directorate (DGHS), meanwhile, said the floods claimed the lives of seven people in five districts in 24 hours till Tuesday noon.
With the latest ones, the death toll from the flood reached 198.
In Jashore, the Ichhamati River swelled due to excessive water coming from the upper stream that inundated low-lying areas in Sharsha Upazila.
Several hundred hectares of cropland is now under floodwater in the Upazila, causing huge losses to farmers.
Kaiba, Bagachhra, Ulashi and Putkhali unions have been hit hard by the floodwater.
Sirajul Islam, a resident of flood-affected Rudrapur village, said the water level is rising by half foot every day. The water from the Ichhamati River is flowing through the Dadkhali Canal, flooding low-lying areas in Sharsha.
“Although there’s a sluice gate at the end of the Dadkhali Canal, it’s not functioning properly,” he added.
Anisur Rahman, deputy assistant agriculture officer of Kaiba union, said around 350 hectares of cropland have been inundated in the area.
Gautam Kumar Shil, agriculture officer of Sharsha, said, “Due to lack of dredging works, the Ichhamati River overflows every year during monsoon, causing severe damages to croplands in the Upazila,” he said.
In Narayanganj, the water of Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers saw a sharp rise and flooded different low-lying areas along the riverbanks in Fatulla.
Houses, roads and business establishments in Boktaboli, Kashipur and Enayetnagar Unions have been damaged by floodwater, causing untold sufferings to thousands of people.
Besides, the DND Dam area in Fatulla goes under water even after a moderate rain. People have to commute through knee-to-waist deep water, said locals.
According to the Upazila administration, around 350 dwellings have been inundated in Enayetnagar while 300 in Kashipur and 200 houses in Boktaboli unions.
Nahida Barik, Narayanganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said the water in the Buriganga and Dhaleshwari rivers started surging from Wednesday last.
“We’ve talked to the affected families. They’ve provided with food items,” she said, adding that a shelter centre has been opened at a primary school for the flood victims.
Flood Forecast
The flood situation may improve in Natore, Manikganj, Rajbari, Faridpur districts and low-lying areas adjacent to the capital in the next 24 hours, said the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.
Major Rivers
Six rivers were flowing above their danger levels at 7 points across the country on Tuesday.
In the morning, the Brahmaputra River was surging and it may continue in the next 48 hours, said the FFWC.
Besides, the water level in the Jamuna River was showing a falling trend and it may remain steady over the next 24 hours. The Ganges and Padma rivers were also showing the same trend, which may continue over the next 48 hours.
Except for the Kushiyara, the rivers in the Upper Meghna basin in the northeastern region of the country were in falling trend and this downtrend is expected to continue.
7 die in 5 districts
Seven people drowned in floodwaters in Kishoreganj, Gazipur, Dhaka, Lalmonirhat and Tangail districts on Tuesday.
Three people drowned in floodwaters in Kishoreganj district alone while one each in the rest four districts, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. – UNB
