RANGPUR, Sept 1: A total of 210 government primary schools in different districts under Rangpur division were closed down during last couple of weeks as the classrooms of the schools were inundated by flood water.
Due to closure the academic activities of the educational institutions came to a halt. The teachers and students of the institutions are now passing days amid uncertainty.
According to sources vast tract areas of chars and river basins in kurigram, Gaibandha, Nilphamari,Lalmonirhat and some upazilas in Rangpur districts were submerged in flood water during last couple of weeks as a flood like situation has been prevailing in the region.
Of the total 173 schools are in Kurigram district, 35 in Gaibandha and 2 in Nilphamari . Besides, a number of educational institutions of the areas are on the verge of extinction owing to erosion by the rivers flowing through the region including Teesta,Brahmaputra and Dharla.
On the other hand Char Dhushmara government primary school at Kawnia upazila in Rangpur district disappeared completely into river Teesta few days ago. Deputy Director of Rangpur divisional primary education office Mohiuddin Talukdar said they have already sent the list of the affected institutions to the concerned ministry. He also hoped that the academic activities of the closed institutions will resume after flood situation improves. Adequate steps have been taken to sell the concrete infrastructures of the erosion affected institutions through auction, he added.
Meanwhile, flood situation in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat has further aggravated during last couple of days bringing more fresh areas under havoc in the districts. The situation deteriorated owing to continuous onrush of water from upstream during last few days.
Due to flood thousands of families turned marooned in the region. Many flood trapped families took shelter on house roof, Bamboo-made machans, embankment and other safe places. The flood affected people are suffering from food, shelter and medical crisis, sources alleged.
Erosion turns serious
An UNB report says: With flood water receding, erosion by the River Teesta has taken a serious turn at different places in Gangachara Upazila in the district, rendering about 350 families homeless in the last few days.
The worst affected areas are Alambiditor and Luxmitary unions under the upazila where dwelling houses and arable land of 200 families were devoured by the river.
The other affected unions are Nohali, Kolkond, Gojoghonta, Mornea and Gangachara Sadar where homestead of 146 families along with cultivable land were washed away due to erosion.
Over 150 yards of the flood protection embankment at Mohipur in Luxmitary union went into the gorge of the river, creating panic among the local people.
