Their sufferings, like floods, not receding
The recent floods have affected different people in different ways. The one thing that they all have in common though is an unending suffering that shows no signs of receding, much like the floodwater.
In these trying times though, some stories of heart-breaking compassion are bound to arise. It is these stories that give everyone a little hope but at the same time they do little to distract from the real issues. Altaf Hossain, a resident of Gunergati village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila, has been living on the flood protection embankment at 3-no dyke point area for the past four days only to protect his cows. His four family members are staying in their house in the village, around half a kilometre away, which is also deluged.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "This cow gives around 10 litres of milk every day. I had to leave my family members in my house for her," he said, his eyes fixed in a vacant stare. “I have left my family behind in the water because I do not know how to let go of this cow. She is like a member of my family and more importantly, an earning member,” he added.
With the floodwater entering on Saturday, his house is now under waist-deep water, as the Jamuna swelled up rapidly. "My family is suffering a lot in the flood. If the water keeps on rising, I have to bring them here on the embankment," he said.
Like Altaf, at least 20 people of the same village have been staying on the embankment with their domestic animals. Milon Hossain was one of them, living there with his four cattle, for the last three days.
"My family members are virtually living on the bed to avoid the water. But these cattle cannot survive there. I need to save my cattle at any cost." he said. Without their cattle, the people here believe that they have nothing else to look forward to. Years of taking care and doting after these creatures has built an unbreakable bond that cannot be fully explained.
Some people said they sold their domestic animal due to lack of accommodation. Parting was better than causing more suffering.
"I sold 10 hens and a goat at a low cost as the water submerged my house. There is no scope here to save them," said Somar Ali.
Flood-hit people of Gunergati village are passing days amid hardships as almost all the houses have been flooded in the last four days. Apart from living on the embankment, many took shelter at the madrasa playground.
"The madrasa playground is crammed with the affected people. It's like we're living in a slum," said Abdul Mannan.
Many people send their family members to their relative's house outside.
The Jamuna river has swelled 67 cm above the danger level since yesterday, said Fazlul Haque, sub divisional engineer of Sirajganj Water Development Board.
"Due to the onrush of water from upstream, Jamuna has surged. But the floodwater entered into the low lying areas outside the flood protection embankment." Fazlul said.
Over one lakh people in 29 unions of five upazilas in Sirajganj have been affected by the flood, according to the district administration office.
Waiting on water
The realities of the flood though can be seen when the homes of those affected are visited. This is where the real struggle can be understood, up close. Setting up her earthen oven on a floating banana-tree raft, Rikta Khatun was cooking rice for her five-member family yesterday noon. Her father-in-law prevented the make-shift kitchen from tipping over by using a piece of bamboo as an oar in one end of the raft as there was floodwater everywhere inside her house.
"I've been cooking food only once a day on it [the raft] as my home has remained under water for the last five days. There is no dry place left around my house," said the 37-year-old mother of three.
"The food I could prepare is inadequate for my family. My children want more," Rikta added, her voice heavy with helplessness.
The floodwater started seeping into her homestead in Dholirkandi village of Sariakandi upazila in Bogra on Friday and has been increasing every day. Her husband, Solaiman Ali, has a tiny grocery shop in the village, but that too remains inundated.
Relief was yet to arrive and her husband was trying to earn money by transporting people in his small boat. Her children – all students of a government primary school -- stayed at house amid miserable conditions. With water on the ground, they raised their bed by placing bricks underneath.
"We are passing days in misery, either half-fed or under-fed. We cannot move to higher grounds in fear of losing our valuables and belongings," Rikta said.
Elsewhere, the condition of Morium Begum looked better.
With her husband Azgar Ali and eight other family members, the 56-year-old woman of Rahadaha area on Kamalpur union in the same upazila took shelter at the flood control embankment for the last one week after her house was flooded.
A few days ago, she received 20 kg rice and some dry food once from the authorities. Her husband incurred a huge loss as their crops were damaged in the flood.
"We don't know how my family would run when the water recedes from the area," she said.
About 11,220 families of 57 villages of nine unions of Sariakandi were affected by the flood as the floodwater was flowing 57cm above the danger mark in Sariakandi point yesterday noon.
The rise of water is devouring more and more places of Sariakandi upazila. Twenty-one villages in three unions of Sonatola upazila and 14 villages in two unions of Dhunat upazila of Bogra were inundated, affecting at least 70,000 people, according to the District Relief Office.
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