Sufferings mount in northern districts

Thousands of flood victims in the northern districts continue to fight for survival with little access to relief materials, and the situation is unlikely to improve today.  

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), in its 6:00pm forecast yesterday warned that the situation may remain steady in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha for the ensuing 24 hours, while in Bogura it could actually deteriorate.

Over 2.5 lakh people have been affected by the recent flood in the two northern districts of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.

The situation is worsening as the region's three major rivers -- the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Dharla -- were flowing above the danger level, said officials of Water Development Board (WDB).

Water receded slightly in some areas, but many fresh areas became inundated yesterday.

Amina Begum's family of seven has been marooned for the last nine days as floodwater surrounds their house.

"We haven't been able to cook since then. For a week, we lived on dry food that we had stocked, but that ran out two days ago," said Amina, a resident of Char Bhagabatipur area in Kurigram Sadar upazila.

"We are now in a state of near starvation. We have not gotten any relief materials either from the government or any private organisation," she told one of these correspondents yesterday noon at the local union council office, where she had gone in the hope of getting relief materials.

Amina, around 60 years old, had to return home empty-handed.

Her husband Jamir Uddin, 67, is ill and unable to work. The family mainly depend on their two sons, who are day labourers, but they cannot work as the entire region is flooded.

"My daughter-in-law has now become pregnant again. But we cannot provide her food … even my two grandchildren are starving," she said.

Jabed Ali, 62, a resident of Purbo Daikhawar char of Kurigram's Ulipur upazila said their entire village had suddenly been inundated on Sunday night.

"Some houses, fences and furniture were washed away. We managed to survive by taking shelter in a nearby school building. We have been staying there since then. But we have not gotten any relief," he said.

Two other northern districts -- Gaibandha and Bogura -- are also facing deterioration of flood situation.

In Gaibandha, around 57,000 people have been affected, according to the office of District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO).

The Brahmaputra river was flowing 13cm above danger level at Fulchari point yesterday afternoon, while Ghaghot was flowing 42cm above danger level at Gaibandha point.

The district administration has allotted 80 tonnes of rice and Tk 6 lakh cash among flood victims.

In Bogura, around 80,000 people have been affected. The Jamuna was flowing 62cm above danger level at Mathurapara point in Sariakandi upazila yesterday noon.

"We have been marooned for the last six days. We cannot cook food. We are in severe crisis of pure water and food," said Rafikul Mollah, a resident of Kuripara char under the upazila.

The district administration has allocated 45 tonnes of rice and Tk 10 lakh cash for victims.