Flood damage assessed at Tk 868b

Floods have damaged property, including crops and infrastructure, amounting to Tk 868.12 billion in 18 districts in the country this year, report agencies.

State minister for disaster management and relief Dr Enamur Rahman disclosed this figure on Monday.

"Floods have completely damaged crops nearly Tk 12.59 billion and partially damaged crops of roughly Tk 559.57 billion this year," he says.

The flooding was triggered by torrential rains from the second week of May in the north and eastern regions, says Mr Rahman.

Heavy rainfall in the bordering Indian states of Meghalaya and Assam, and the onrush of upstream waters aggravated the flood situation, he adds.

The minister was talking to reporters following a meeting of an inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee at the secretariat.

"Surma was flowing above danger mark from May 13 due to torrential rains and onrush of hilly water upstream, causing floods in Sylhet, Sunamganj and other adjacent areas which spread to 18 districts."

Houses worth Tk 3.69 billion have been damaged fully while partially damaged houses worth over Tk 13.55 billion, according to Mr Rahman.

The death toll from the floods rose to 129 in the past 24 hours as of Monday morning.