Rivers around capital swell further
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
At least 164 people were killed in the current flooding across the country by official count available until Tuesday morning while water-borne diseases infected many people as floodwaters were receding from upstream areas, reports UNB.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said although the situation improved slightly in northern districts, three rivers surrounding Dhaka registered further rise in 24 hours to Tuesday morning, further deteriorating the floods in and around the capital.
Meanwhile, an amount of Tk 110 million (11 crore) was allocated Tuesday from the Chief Adviser (CA)'s Relief and Welfare Fund in emergency relief for the affected people in 15 of the flood-affected districts in the country.
Food and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury disclosed it at a regular press briefing on the latest flood situation in the country at the conference room of the CA's Office Tuesday afternoon.
An FFWC official told the news agency that Turag river rose 60cm above the red mark by registering a rise of 12 cm at Mirpur point while the Balu at Demra point swelled 50cm above the danger level with a 3 cm rise in the 24 hours.
The official said, "The flood situation in and around Dhaka might aggravate if there be further rainfall."
Government statistics released Tuesday said the floodwaters kept marooned over 9.10 million (91 lakh) people of 1.95 million (19.5 lakh) families in 235 upazilas of 38 districts until Tuesday afternoon, causing substantial damage to both life and property.
However, the overall flood situation showed a trend of slight improvement though millions of marooned or homeless remained in misery for dearth of foodstuff and pure drinking water.
The official said eight more deaths have been reported from different districts in 24 hours since 11:00 am Monday. Over 0.35 million (3.5 lakh) flood-hit victims have so far taken shelter in 1,515 flood centres in the affected districts.
Standing crops on more than 1.40 million (14 lakh) acres were fully or partially damaged as the swelling water still continued to deluge fresh areas, though at a comparatively slow pace.
According to the official statistics, at least 89,048 houses were damaged completely and about 0.65 million (6.5 lakh) partially. Some 332 educational institutions were damaged completely while 4,893 others partially.
Some 65.66-km flood-protection embankments were completely washed away while 6,434 kms affected partially.
In Kurigram, six people were killed in flooding in the district in last 24 hours ending at 6:00 am Tuesday. Of the deceased, three drowned while one died of pneumonia and two in snakebites.
Hospital sources said people are being infected with various waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, in the flood-affected areas and shelter centres with the receding of floodwaters. Around 1,085 people were affected by diarrhoea in the district in last 24 hours ending at 6:00 am Tuesday.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said although the situation improved slightly in northern districts, three rivers surrounding Dhaka registered further rise in 24 hours to Tuesday morning, further deteriorating the floods in and around the capital.
Meanwhile, an amount of Tk 110 million (11 crore) was allocated Tuesday from the Chief Adviser (CA)'s Relief and Welfare Fund in emergency relief for the affected people in 15 of the flood-affected districts in the country.
Food and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury disclosed it at a regular press briefing on the latest flood situation in the country at the conference room of the CA's Office Tuesday afternoon.
An FFWC official told the news agency that Turag river rose 60cm above the red mark by registering a rise of 12 cm at Mirpur point while the Balu at Demra point swelled 50cm above the danger level with a 3 cm rise in the 24 hours.
The official said, "The flood situation in and around Dhaka might aggravate if there be further rainfall."
Government statistics released Tuesday said the floodwaters kept marooned over 9.10 million (91 lakh) people of 1.95 million (19.5 lakh) families in 235 upazilas of 38 districts until Tuesday afternoon, causing substantial damage to both life and property.
However, the overall flood situation showed a trend of slight improvement though millions of marooned or homeless remained in misery for dearth of foodstuff and pure drinking water.
The official said eight more deaths have been reported from different districts in 24 hours since 11:00 am Monday. Over 0.35 million (3.5 lakh) flood-hit victims have so far taken shelter in 1,515 flood centres in the affected districts.
Standing crops on more than 1.40 million (14 lakh) acres were fully or partially damaged as the swelling water still continued to deluge fresh areas, though at a comparatively slow pace.
According to the official statistics, at least 89,048 houses were damaged completely and about 0.65 million (6.5 lakh) partially. Some 332 educational institutions were damaged completely while 4,893 others partially.
Some 65.66-km flood-protection embankments were completely washed away while 6,434 kms affected partially.
In Kurigram, six people were killed in flooding in the district in last 24 hours ending at 6:00 am Tuesday. Of the deceased, three drowned while one died of pneumonia and two in snakebites.
Hospital sources said people are being infected with various waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, in the flood-affected areas and shelter centres with the receding of floodwaters. Around 1,085 people were affected by diarrhoea in the district in last 24 hours ending at 6:00 am Tuesday.