DHAKA, July 12, 2019 (BSS) – State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman today said the government has taken all-out preparations to face the current flood as the situation may worsen in 10 districts.
He said rivers in different areas of the country are flowing above the danger level and that is why the flood situation may worsen in the districts of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Bagura, Gaibandha, Netrakona, Sherpur, Sunamganj, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Bardanban due to continuous heavy downpour in the country and onrush of water from the upstream.
The state minister came up with the observation while briefing reporters after a meeting of inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee on flood preparedness at the conference room of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry here.
The ministry has given special allocation to the 10 districts where flood situation may worsen in the coming days, he said.
“We’ve already allocated Taka 2.95 crore and 17,550 metric tonnes of food grains for the 10 districts” he said.
Enamur said a total of 628 points in the country’s northern, northeaster and southeastern parts have been identified as vulnerable to flooding. “Of those, 26 points are highly vulnerable,” he added.
Necessary measures have been taken to make 521 points free from the risk of flooding, the state minister said, adding 2,000 packets of dry food have been sent to every flood-affected district.
He said 500 metric tonnes of food grains were sent to the flood-affected districts, while medical teams of the Health Ministry are working there.
About riverbank erosion, Enamur said, erosion is taking place in Manikganj, Jamalpur and Lalmonirhat districts, and the Water Resources Ministry is working there to check the erosion.
Noting that the control room of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry is communicating with the deputy commissioners (DCs) round-the-clock, he said the DCs are giving instructions to the field level officials on flood situation.
A committee, led by a civil surgeon, was formed in every district vulnerable to flooding aiming to control water-borne disease, the state minister said, adding that the leave of food officials stationed in godowns has been cancelled.
“Tents are being set up in shelter centres….Bangladesh Water Development Board has been taking measures to address the flood situation,” he said.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Nojibur Rahman stressed the need for disseminating the updated information on flood situation, collected by Bangladesh Water Development Board and Meteorological office, for proper management of flood.
Disaster and Relief Senior Secretary Md Shah Kamal and Women and Children Affairs Secretary Kamrun Nahar were, among others, present.