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Flood
engulfs more dists: Fear of disease grows
Nepotism rules relief distribution among dam-cut victims
Monsoon floods that engulfed most of the
districts of the country since early this month affecting over 80 lakh
people, inundated fresh areas in the central regions as most rivers
continued to rise at downstream points yesterday. But flood situation
showed improvement in eastern and northern districts due to further fall
of water level of the rivers at upstream over the last 24 hours.
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According to Met Office and reports from the affected areas, non-stop
heavy downpour has caused immense sufferings of the people trapped in
devastating floods. Fresh areas in the affected districts were flooded
yesterday because of torrential rains despite some recession of floodwaters,
Met Office said.
The floods have disrupted road communications in many places and threatened
railway links, particularly between Dhaka and northwestern region through
Jamuna Bridge.
Reports from different flood-battered areas said that disruption in
communications caused by swelling waters from rivers and rains, had
virtually stood up in the way of smooth relief operation.
Thousands of people marooned in low-lying areas of the capital city need
relief and shelter but the drive is yet to be launched, affected local
people regretted.
According to residents, floodwaters submerged more low-lying areas in the
capital generating grave concern among the city dwellers.
According to information reaching Dhaka, Army troops were called out at
different places including worst affected Bogra to help local administration
in reaching relief materials to the marooned people. A total of 13 army
teams are now working in Bogra alone.
However, the Flood Control Centre said that due to rise in water level of
the major rivers, the flood situation aggravated yesterday in Dhaka,
Manikganj, Munshiganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, Faridpur, Narsingdi,
Naogaon, Chandpur and Mymensingh.
The river Padma rose by 6 cm at Rajbari point yesterday while at Bhagyakul 6
cm, Brahmaputra 31cm at Mymensingh, Atrai 20 cm at Naogaon, Sitalakhya 13 cm
at Narayanganj, Kaliganga 40 cm at Manikganj and Arialkhan 20 cm at
Madaripur, according to the Flood Control Centre.
The Padma is flowing 111cm above danger mark while Brahmaputra 69cm,
Sitalakhya 49 cm, Kaliganga 112 cm, Arialkhan 28cm and Atrai 28 cm.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna continued to fall at upstream while it rose at the
downstream. The river Jamuna was flowing 63 cm at Aricha point.
The Flood Control Centre pointed out that the flood situation improved
further yesterday in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Netrakona, Sylhet,
Mulavibazar, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Kishorganj, Gaibandha, and Lalmonirhat.
The situation remained unchanged in Pabna and Sirajganj during the period
Local officials and witnesses said that erosion and breaches in flood
control structures had appeared to be a major concern among the flood
victims.
Meanwhile, the Flood and Disaster Management Ministry yesterday allocated 2,
750 metric tonnes of rice, cash amount of Taka 15,25 lakh and 1,425 cartons
of biscuits for the flood victims in 13 districts including Mymensingh,
Pabna and Shariatpur. The Ministry allocated around 9,000 metric tonnes of
rice and Taka two crore in cash till yesterday.
Our Manikganj correspondent reported that flood situation in the district
had deteriorated causing untold woes of the people. More low-lying areas
including district headquarters have been flooded due to rains and swelling
of waters from river Jamuna and Padma rivers.
© Copyright 2003 by The New Nation
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