A submerged crop field at Bhangarpar village in Morneya union under Gangachara upazila of Rangpur district — FE Photo RANGPUR, July 13: Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and water from the upstream have inundated vast areas in Gangachara and Kaunia upazilas of Rangpur district during last couple of weeks, multiplying sufferings of the local people.
Several thousand families have been marooned while Aman paddy seedbeds, vegetable, peanut, jute and other crop fields on several thousand hectares of land have gone under water, making the growers doubtful about getting the expected yield as swelling Teesta River caused flash flood there, sources said.
The worst-affected unions of the two upazilas include Lakkhitari, Kolkond, Morneya, Nohali, Alambiditor and Gajghanta in Gangachara upazila; and Balapara, Shahidbag and Tepamodhupur unions in Kaunia upazila.
While visiting different areas, the FE correspondent found that the families whose houses went under floodwater were passing days amid extreme miseries.
Several hundred flood victims have taken refuge on highlands, flood control embankments and in schools and colleges.
Many of the affected families are shifting their houses to safer places facing further threat of inundation.
Floodwater has also caused massive damage to many roads, concrete and bamboo bridges and building structures.
Looking at the furious Teesta with tears in eyes, Rashed Mia, a resident of Hisan Tari village in Morneya union of Gangachara Upazila, told the FE that his family has remained marooned for the last 12 days as his house is surrounded by floodwater.
Presently, they are passing days in acute miseries. Like Rashed, many other victims also echoed the same. Kajoli Begum of Kolkond union in the upazila said that her house was about 200 meters away from Teesta River. A few days ago, her house suddenly disappeared into the Teesta. She is now staying at a relative's house with her young sons and daughters.
It is learnt, the flood-affected people are now suffering much owing to severe dearth of fuel, food, fodder, pure drinking water and shelter.
Zillur Rahman, chairman of Morneya Union Parishad, said in the last 10 days, hundreds of houses in his union have been washed away by floodwater. More than 1,000 families have been marooned by the flood.
Meanwhile, the district administration has started relief distribution in most of the affected areas.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rangpur Md Mobasswer Hasan has already visited the affected areas and distributed relief among the flood victims.
Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahid Tamanna said they have asked the union parishad chairmen to prepare lists of the victims of the flood- affected areas and provide them with necessary aid and other supports.
On the other hand, farmers of the flood-affected areas are worried as their crop fields have remained submerged in floodwater for around two weeks.
Consequently, Aman seedbeds and vegetable fields are set to perish.
Besides, a massive amount of fish from many ponds and other water bodies have been washed away by floodwater, causing substantial losses to hundred of farmers in the deluged areas.
Apart from this, with the flooding, Teesta riverbank erosion has taken a further alarming turn in some places including Morneya and Lakkhitari unions of Gangachara upazila.
Several hundred houses, trees and vast areas of cropland have been devoured by the ferocious river, making hundreds of people paupers.
Mahbub Rahman, chief engineer of the northern region of the Water Development Board, said that the low-lying areas along the banks of the river have been flooded due to heavy rainfall and flow of water from the upstream.
Erosion has intensified at some places in Gangachara due to frequent rise and fall in the Teesta water level. Necessary measures are being taken to check the river erosion, he added.
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