Rain compounds sufferings of flood-hit people

FE Team | Published: August 18, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
Light to moderate rain across the country for the last couple of days compounded the miseries of the people in the flood-hit areas.
Those were hoping to return to their homes soon following improvement in flood situation might have to stay in the temporary shelters for more time as rivers, at many places, have started rising again.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), the Brahmanputra-Jamuna is likely to cross the danger level again at Aricha today (Saturday) and at Sirajganj by tomorrow.
The Padma at Goalundo and Bhagyakul that has started rising again is likely to continue to rise in the next 72 hours. However, all other rivers are likely to fall in the next 48 hours, the FFWC said.
A UNB report said: The Ganges-Padma has started rising and is likely to continue in the next 24-72 hours, it said, adding Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna and Kushtia might be vulnerable to Ganges basin flooding.
Citing the forecast of Indian Meteorological Department, the FFWC said the rate of rise is expected to be slower in the next two-three days as rainfall may decrease over Assam and Meghalaya after the next 48 hours.
The flood situation in Manikganj, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Gopalganj and Chandpur, and Dohar and Nawabganj upazilas of Dhaka is likely to remain static and then deteriorate slightly.
The Meghna at Bhairab Bazar is likely to rise slowly and the flood situation in the districts of Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj may remain unchanged.
Small rivers surrounding Dhaka and Narayanganj recorded a fall Friday. The rivers are expected to fall at a lower rate in the next 24 hours and then may show a mix trend in the next 72 hours.
The flood situation around Dhaka city, especially in the eastern part of Dhaka, is likely to improve further slowly in the next 24 hours and then remain static or deteriorate slightly in the next 72 hours.
The Kaliganga at Taraghat is likely to fall by 5 cm and may flow 10 cm below the danger level while the Tongi Khal at Tongi is likely to fall by 3 cm. The Turag at Mirpur is likely to fall by 2 cm and may flow 5 cm above the danger level during the period.
Meanwhile, according to another UNB report, death toll due to drowning, disease and snakebite during the current flooding shot up to 536 with 20 more deaths reported in 24 hours until Friday morning.
Some 10.5 million people of 39 districts have been affected by the monsoon flood that has gripped the country since July 30. Nearly 1,69,271 people have taken shelter in 642 relief camps, having been displaced from their homes.
Of the 536 deaths, 475 occurred from drowning, 34 of snakebite, 15 from diarrhoea and 12 from respiratory complications.
Along with diarrhoea and respiratory problems, skin diseases also broke out in the affected areas infecting thousands of people in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
A press release from the Health Directorate said some 54,964 people were admitted to the government hospitals until Friday morning while some 13,019 people took admission to ICDDR,B during the period.
A total of 3,253 medical teams and 28 mobile hospitals are working round-the-clock to treat patients.
According to statistics provided by the Food and Disaster Management Ministry, the flooding damaged some 9,38,815 houses, completely or partially, crops on 15,11,699 acres, completely or partially, while some 25,826 kms roads were damaged, completely or partially, and 7515 educational institutions damaged, completely or partially.
It also damaged 801 kms of embankments and some 2,764 bridges and culverts, completely or partially.
Meanwhile, cash and relief goods from the Chief Adviser's relief fund continued to be sent for the flood-hit people.