|
Floods take alarming turn
Jul 12, 2004, 13:42
With the three major rivers the Ganges-Padma, the
Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Meghna continuing to swell simultaneously due to
monsoon rain and onrush water from upstream the overall flood situation in
the northern and northeastern districts turned alarming yesterday.
 |
According to reports reaching Dhaka more areas were inundated in
floodwaters in the districts of Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha and Bogra.
The flood forecasting and warning centre of the Bangladesh Water Development
Board noted that situation in the districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvi
Bazar, Sherpur, Netrakona, Kishoreganj and Narshingdhi may deteriorate
further. In the districts of Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Naogaon,
Bogra and Serajganj the situation would be worse during the next 48 hours.
Flood water coming down to central part of the country may cause inundation
of more low laying areas in the districts of Manikganj, Nawabganj, Madaripur
and Shariatpur. Low laying areas in and around the capital city Dhaka and
Narayanganj may inundate within a day or two.
Senior weather experts at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicted
said that the intensity of rainfall may start falling and with it the
pressure of water may start falling.
A report from Sirajganj said nearly 150 feet of Suvagachha flood protection
embankment in Kazipur upazila was damaged this afternoon in which 100
dwelling houses were devoured in the river Jamuna as floodwater entered the
villages.
The Ranigram groyen and hard point of Sirajganj town protection embankment
are now under threat of damage due to strong current in the river Jamuna.
More than 100 villages were badly affected by flood after damage of the
embankment. Transplanted aman seedlings and vegetable farms on 10,000
hectares were submerged as floodwater engulfed the area.
Educational institutions in the flood-hit districts remained closed as
floodwater inundated the institutions. Nearly 20 lakh people in the
country’s northern districts were marooned by floodwater.
Our Sylhet Correspondent reported: The flood situation in Sylhet remains
unchanged through the intensity of rainfall came down during the last 24
hours. But the onrush of hilly water from the upper region was continuing
still 6pm of Monday.
Total death toll in flood in Sylhet and Sunamjang districts rose up to 13.
Meanwhile flood situation in remote area of Zakiganj upazila, Bianibazar,
Kanaighat, Gwainghat, Zaintapur, Companygong , Biswanath Balagonj and
Chhatrak further deteriorated. Standing crops in these upazila have been
totally washed away. Floodwater entered 90 percent houses in these areas.
The affected people of these areas have fallen into extreme sufferings.
Everyone is in distress. Every family is facing serious scarcity of drinking
water.
The Surma at Sylhet following 74 cm, at Kanaighat 130cm, at Sunamgang 100cm
above the danger level. The Kushiara flowing at Amalshid 57 cm, at Shewla 80
cm above the danger mark.
Meanwhile Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman assured the people of some
affected area in his constituency on Sunday last that adequete relief and
rehabilitation would provide to the flood victims of Sylhet while he
visited.
Ilaias Ali MP demanded 10 thousand metric tons of rice and 10 crore Taka to
fulfill damages by the devastating flood in his constituency
Balagonj-Biswanati Sylhet-2.
The government has so far allocated gratuitous relief and cash worth about
Tk 5.44 crore for people of 24 flood-affected districts.
Disaster Management and Relief Ministry sources said of the total, some
3,050 metric tonnes of rice worth Tk 4.5 crore, Tk 50 lakh in cash and Tk 44
lakh as house building grant have been sanctioned.
The district-wise allocation of relief materials made so far since July 7
are – 400 MTs of rice and Tk 11 lakh for each Sylhet and Sunamganj; 100 MTs
rice and Tk 4 lakh each for Moulvibazar and Habiganj; 250 MTs rice and Tk 6
lakh each for Kurigram and Gaibandha; 350 MTs of rice and Tk 10 lakh for
Joypurhat, and 350 MTs rice and Tk 6 lakh for Rangpur district.
Besides, 50 MTs rice and Tk 4 lakh has been allocated for each of the
districts of Netrakona, Kishoreganj, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Bhola, Patuakhali,
Brahmanbaria, Nilphamari, Bogra, Rangamati, Banderban, Khagrachhari, Cox’s
Bazar and Sirajganj.
A monitoring and review meeting of overall flood situation was held
yesterday at the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry with Deputy
Minister Asadul Habib Dulu in the chair. The Deputy Minister said that more
relief materials would be allocated for the affected people as per the
demand of the respective district administrations.
High officials of the ministry were present at the meeting.
Yesterday moderate to heavy rainfall was recorded at most places with very
heavy downpour at one place over the Brahmaputra basin, light to moderate
rainfall at a few places with very heavy at one place over the Ganges basin,
moderately heavy to heavy rainfall at most places over the Meghna basin and
light to moderate rain fall at many places over the South Eastern Hill
basin.
Significant rainfall of 115.3 mm was recorded at Dinajpur, 105.0 mm at
Kurigram, 81.0 mm at Nakuagaon, 70.0 mm at Rangpur, 64.0 mm at Manu Railway
Bridge and 60.0 mm each at Kaunia, Chilmari, Dewanganj and Sunamganj,
according to the flood forecasting and warning centre.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma continued further rise at all
points. Most of the rivers in the Meghna basin registered rise whereas all
the monitoring stations in the South Eastern Hill basin recorded fall. Out
of the 85 monitoring stations 46 recorded rise, 20 fall and 1 point remained
steady. Among those at 20 points rivers were flowing above danger levels.
Source: The New Nation
|
