RANGPUR, Aug 22, 2017 (BSS) – The flood situation has been further improved during past five consecutive days till today bringing normalcy in six out of ten affected northern districts on the Brahmaputra basin.
Water Development Board (WDB) officials said most of the displaced people returned homes in Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rangpur and Lalmonirhat; while the situation continues improving in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogra and Sirajganj.
The major rivers were flowing above danger mark (DM) at only six monitoring points following further recession of water levels of the Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Teesta, Dharla, Kartoa and other rivers in the basin during the past 24 hours ending at 9am today.
The Kartoa was flowing above DM by 6cm at Chak Rahimpur and 54cm at Kanthakhali, Jamuna above DM by 26cm at Bahadurabad, 24cm at Sariakandi, 55cm at Kazipur and 65cm at Sirajganj points at 9am today.
On the other hand, all major rivers and tributaries were flowing below DM at other monitoring points on the Brahmaputra basin today.
Divisional Commissioner Kazi Hasan Ahmed said distribution of relief materials among flood-hit people has been intensified further in affected northern districts amid improving flood situation.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) for Dinajpur Mokhlesur Rahman said distribution of 1,595 tonnes rice, Taka 62.50 lakh and 7,000 packets dry foods among flood-hit people was nearing completion in the district.
“We have 500 tonnes rice and Taka 23.50 lakh in cash as stock to meet any emergency situation,” Rahman added.
Similarly, distribution of 1,851.38 tonnes rice, Taka 69.55 lakh and 6,000 packets dry foods among flood-hit people continues in full swing in Kurigram district.
“The district administration has a stock of 650 tonnes rice and Taka 23 lakh in cash to meet emergency situation, if any, in the district,” said Kurigram DRRO Enamul Haque.
Local public representatives said sporadic incidents of river erosion devoured some houses along riverside areas in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogra and Sirajganj districts with recession of floodwater during past few days.
“Erosion of the Teesta devoured 300 houses totally and 3,000 others partially in Nohali union alone during the past one week,” said Abul Kalam Azad Titul, Chairman of Nohali union under Gangachara upazila in Rangpur.
Chairman Goysol Haque Mandal of Chilmari union under Chilmari upazila in Kurigram told BSS today that erosion of the Brahmaputra devoured 104 houses totally and over 300 more partially in the union during past four days.