Flood situation improves in northern region

The overall flood situation of the country’s northern region improved further on Friday with a drop in the water level of the major rivers.

Four people died in Jamalpur on Friday.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the water level of all the major rivers in the northern region decreased although some of them were still flowing above the danger level, reports UNB.

The water level of the Dharla River fell by 6cm at Kurigram point and it was flowing 23cm above the red mark at 3pm while the Teesta was flowing 50 and 140cm below the danger level at Dalia and Kaunia points decreasing 5cm and 5cm respectively.

The Brahmaputra was flowing 34cm above the red level at Chilmari point although the water level fell by 6cm while the Jamuna was flowing 95cm, 94cm, 134cm and 135cm above the danger level at Bahadurabad, Sariakandi, Kazipur and Sirajganj points marking a decrease by 7cm, 6cm, 4cm and 3cm respectively.

The Atrai River was flowing 110cm above the danger level at Baghabari point marking a rise by 1cm.

Besides, the Jamuna River was flowing 74cm above the red mark at Aricha at 3pm falling by 1cm.

The Padma water was running 106cm above the danger level at Goalanda while above 40cm at Bhagyakul marking a decrease by 2cm. The water level of the mighty river increased 25cm at Sureswar point.

In Jamalpur, two people died from electrocution at Pecharchar village in Islampur upazila around 1:30pm while they were giving electric connections standing in floodwater.

The deceased were identified as Mahijul, 20, and Abdus Salam, 30, of the village, said Deen-e-Islam, officer-in-charge of Islampur Police Station.

Besides, a schoolgirl, Ayesha, 13, drowned in floodwater in Char area of Melandah upazila and her cousin Tapasi, 12, went missing in the afternoon, said Mazharul Karim, officer-in-charge of Melandah Police Station.

Meanwhile, Class-VII student Joy, 14, drowned at Balijhuri village in Motherganj upazila around 1pm.

Though the water level of the Jamuna decreased, new areas in Sadar upazila were inundated by floodwater.

Besides, the train communication on Jamalpur-Dewanganj route and Jamalpur-Sarishabari route remained suspended as the rail tracks were still under water.

Meanwhile, the vehicular movement on Tarakandi-Bhuapur route remained halted following the damage to the road.

In Kurigram, the overall flood situation remained static while the sufferings of the flood-affected people in inaccessible areas were compounded for lack of enough relief materials.

Local office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said 50,000 hectares of paddy field were damaged by the flood in the district.

In Natore, Aman plants on around 1,900 hectares of land were washed away by floodwater in Singra upazila as the Atrai River has burst its bank.

The Atrai was flowing 55cm above its danger mark till Friday morning, leaving houses and croplands on vast areas in its vicinity flooded, said Sudangshu Kumar Sarker, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board.

In Chapainawabganj, the water of the Punbhorba River was flowing 10cm above its danger mark.

However, the water level of the Padma and the Mahananda did not cross danger level in the district although the water level of the two rivers rose 9cm and 37cm respectively, said Water Development Board sources.

Many houses and Aman and Aush paddy fields in Rohanpur, Alinagar, Bangabari, Gomostapur and Radhanagar union of Gomastapur upazila were submerged by water.

In Naogaon, a total 275,830 people of 441 villages in 63 unions of nine upazilas were affected by flood. Around 61,000 houses were damaged and around 4,000 people took shelter in 38 shelter centres.

Besides, academic activities of 109 educational institutions remained suspended.

In Sherpur, the overall flood situation in the district worsened following the rise of water level in Puratan Bhahmaputra, Doshani and Mrigi rivers.

The water level at Sherpur ferryghat point increased 13cm in the last 24 hours till Friday noon, inundating new areas.

A total of 77 villages in 14 unions of three upazilas were freshly flooded, marooning around 40,000 people.

Md Zafar Miah, local union parishad member, said there were no enough relief materials for the flood victims. They informed the administration but it did not take any initiative in the last five days.

In Sirajganj, the flood situation remained static with a decrease in the water level of the Jamuna River.

The residents of the district town are in fear as a breach developed in a flood embankment at Ranigram of the municipality area.

The low-lying areas in Shahjadpur upazila were inundated as gushing water entered through a damaged dam.

In Bogra, there was an acute shortage of food and safe water following insufficient government relief.

The flood victims in inaccessible char areas alleged that they did not get any relief from the government.

In Faridpur, around 100,000 people were left marooned by the flood in the district following a rise in the water level of the Padma river in the last few days.

Academic activities of 49 primary schools and high schools remained suspended.

Sources at the DAE said 171 hectares of paddy field and 58 hectares of vegetable fields were submerged by floodwater in three upazilas of the district.