The overall flood situation in the north, central and northeastern districts of the county continued deteriorating as the rising major rivers and its tributaries coupled with heavy rain inundated vast tracts in many areas, leaving thousands of people marooned. Water levels at 83 river stations monitored by Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre have marked rise.
Heavy rainfall triggered by active monsoon submerged much of two northeastern districts Sylhet and Sunamganj creating havoc for the people in rural areas as the two districts witnessed third spell of flood within one month. Many of the affected families have taken shelter on the flood control embankment with their belongings including domestic animals and poultry birds and were passing days miserably for shortage of the animal feed.
There is a possibility of flooding across the country in August since there has been a growing trend of rainfall in the country alongside rising water in upstream of major rivers. According to statement issued by Unicef, among 20 lakh flood affected people in two northeastern regions - Sylhet and Sunamganj - 7.72 lakh are children.
The third wave of devastating flood battered wide swaths of two north-eastern districts Sylhet, Sunamganj and other parts of Bangladesh as floods hit northeastern parts in a shorter time meaning this unusual phenomenon will linger suffering and livelihood of people. The affected people are battling with three cycles of flood as life and livelihoods are damaged severely in Sylhet.
There is a possibility of flooding across the
country in August since there has been a
growing trend of rainfall in the country
alongside rising water in upstream of major rivers
Besides, overall flood situation in chars and Brahmaputra river basin areas at eastern side of the flood control embankment in four upazilas of Gaibandha and Kurigram districts has deteriorated as the river was maintaining its rising trend. Around 700 tourists remain stranded in Sajek as a flash flood submerged roads in Khagrachhari and Rangamati. The suffering of the people in the flood-hit areas is reaching its peak. They are facing acute crises of food and pure drinking water.
The government relief allocated in the flood-hit areas is quite insufficient to meet the needs of the affected people. Houses and vast tracts of crop land in low lying areas of the affected districts went under water.
The flood waters are also now destroying matured crops, seedbeds, cattle farm and poultry in those affected districts. Apart from these, due to the onrush of water from the upstream and heavy rain in the country for the last couple of days, low-lying areas in those districts also went under water. Road communications in different upazilas of the affected districts and the city snapped due to floods, with mounting suffering of inhabitants. With the rise of water level in the river, the river erosion has taken a serious turn at many points of the affected districts, creating panic among the affected people.
All concerned must remain prepared to tackle the flood as the water of the rivers is on rising trend. The authorities concerned should start distributing handmade breads and cooked foods, purified water and handmade oral saline to the flood-hit people immediately.
Packets of dry food will also have to be sent to every flood-affected district alongside food grains. Medical teams of the health ministry must work there round the clock. Tents will also be set up in shelter centres as the flood waters have already rendered a large number of people homeless. A total of 628 points in the country’s northern, northeaster and southeastern parts have been identified as vulnerable to flooding. Of those, 26 points are highly vulnerable. Necessary measures must be taken to make 521 points free from the risk of flooding. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked all concerned, including civil administration and field administration to take necessary preparations for facing the flood and its impact in order to protect the people of the country from the impacts and devastation of flood.
