I
As the water level in all major rivers continues to rise above the danger mark, the flood situation in the northern districts of the country are still showing no significant signs of improvement. Many of the flood-hit people are unable to return to their homes from temporary shelters as their houses are badly damaged. Stranded in waterlogged areas, many victims remain unemployed, with little access to food and pure drinking water, a situation compounded by insufficient relief.
These victims remain hungry and vulnerable to diseases like diarrhoea as relief supplies are inadequate to meet their daily needs. Prices of rice, lentil and vegetables have gone up in the affected areas as crops on vast swathes of land are damaged.
Many flood-affected people have alleged that affluent families are receiving most of the relief materials as they are better affiliated with local government officials and authorities. There is also a shortage of drinking water as most of the tube-wells in these area have gone underwater.
Flood has also affected the cattle farmers in eight districts -- Sirajganj, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Tangail, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Nilphamari and Jamalpur. They are struggling to find safe shelters for their domestic animals. Most brought these to higher grounds near the main roads.
Hundreds of schools remain closed, disrupting education of thousands of children in 20 districts.
The government can only do so much. It's time for the philanthropists and similar groups along with groups from different neighbourhoods to initiate relief drives. They should ensure that the relief materials reach these flood-affected people.
Md. ZillurRahaman
SatishSarker Road,
Gandaria, Dhaka.
II
The monsoon heavy rain and upstream water flow are worsening the flood situation in various parts of the country. The districts that are most affected by rising water-levels are Faridpur, Tangail, Manikgonj, Sylhet, Bagura etc. Other districts are gradually entering this list.
More than 4.0 million people have been affected by the devastating flood this month. These people need urgent relief like food, safe water and shelter. In this backdrop, we should all come forward and extend our helping hands to save the flood-affected people.
Mohammad Zonaed Emran
MTB MNC Banking Unit
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