Rain worsens northern flood

Continuous downpours coupled with swelling in the major rivers like the Brahmaputra, Jamuna and Padma yesterday further worsened the flood situation in the northern districts.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the rivers were flowing over the danger level at different points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra, Sirajganj, Tangail and Netrakona.

Significant rainfall was recorded at 18 stations in different districts, with the highest 200mm rainfall being recorded at Durgapur of Rajshahi. 

Click on the markers on the map and zoom in to see details on the flood situation in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Sirajganj and Jamalpur districts of Bangladesh.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya has meanwhile asked the authorities concerned in five districts to stay on high alert as the areas might be affected by floods.

As of now, 6.5 lakh people of 54 upazilas in 13 districts have been affected by floods triggered by torrential rains and release of upstream water, the minister said at a briefing on the flood situation at the Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday.

“Flood could affect five new districts -- Munshiganj, Manikganj, Chandpur, Shariatpur and Bhola,” Maya said.

Mainly north and northeastern districts have so far been affected by floods, he said, adding, many shelter centres were opened to accommodate the flood victims, who have lost their houses.

As much as 4,000 tonnes of rice, Tk 1.9 crore and 18,000 packets of dry food had been distributed among the flood victims, he added.

BOGRA

The Jamuna was flowing 58cm above the danger mark at Sariakandi point, rising by 10cm in last 24 hours.

Floodwater has been affecting more and more localities of Sariakandi, Sonatola and Dhunat upazila, adding to the sufferings of the flood victims.

District Relief Office source said the low-lying areas on the Jamuna basin -- 57 villages of nine unions in Sariakandi, 21 villages in three unions in Sonatola and 14 villages under two unions in Dhunat -- were inundated, affecting at least 70,000 people of 14,355 families.

Mohosin Ali, deputy assistant agriculture officer of the Department of Agriculture Extension, said 4,935 hectares of cropland was inundated that affected 23,554 farmers in the three upazilas. Aush on 1,710 hectares, Jute on 3,070 hectares, seedling on 48 hectares and vegetables on 107 hectares were flooded, he added.

KURIGRAM

Around 1,53,000 people of around 38,000 flood-hit families of 41 unions under seven upazilas have been marooned, official sources said.

Around 4,216 families have fallen victim to river erosion in recent floods. The government has so far distributed 300 tonnes of rice, Tk 8.25 lakh and 2,000 packets of dry food among the affected families, the officials added.

GAIBANDHA

The Jamuna and the Ghagot rivers yesterday swelled further following onrush of upstream water, flooding vast tracts of four upazilas.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the Jamuna was flowing 55cm and Ghagot 41cm above the danger mark. Around 95,000 people in four upazilas have been marooned.

JAMALPUR

Flood situation has deteriorated badly as the Jamuna was flowing 81cm above the danger level at Bahadurabad Ghat point at 3:00pm yesterday, according to WDB.

Around 1.76lakh people of 320 villages under 27 unions in Islampur, Dewanganj, Madarganj and Sharishabari upazilas have been badly affected, said district administration sources.

Around 75,000 people of 121 villages in Islampur and around 42,000 people at 110 villages in Dewanganj have been marooned, the sources added.