RANGPUR, July 7, 2020 (BSS) – The displaced flood-hit people started returning homes at most places following further improvement in the flood situation in seven northern districts in the Brahmaputra basin during 24 hours till 9 am today.
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said water levels of major rivers marked further sharp falls to flow below their danger marks (DMs) at all points following reduction in onrushing waters from the upstream during the period.
The improving trend in the flood situation may continue with further recession in water levels of the major rivers in the basin during the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, sporadic incidents of riverbank erosion have been reported from around 50 points alongside the Dharla, Dudhkumar, Teesta, Brahmaputra, Ghaghot and Jamuna rivers due to stronger river current with recession of floodwaters.
Water levels of the Brahmaputra marked falls by 21cm at Noonkhawa and 20cm at Chilmari while Dharla marked a fall by 29cm at Kurigram and Ghaghot by another 19cm at Gaibandha points during the period.
Water levels of the Jamuna marked sharp falls by 18cm at Fulchhari, 23cm at Bahadurabad, 25cm each at Sariakandi and Kazipur and 17cm at Sirajganj points during the period.
The Brahmaputra was flowing below the DMs by 45cm at Noonkhawa and 32cm at Chilmari while Dharla by 8cm at Kurigram and Ghaghot by 28cm at Gaibandha points at 9 am.
The Jamuna was flowing at the DM at Fulchhari while below the DMs by 6cm at Bahadurabad, 7cm at Sariakandi, 10cm Kazipur and 11cm at Sirajganj points.
However, water level of the Teesta marked a rise by 25cm at Dalia point in Nilphamari and was flowing 25cm below the DM there at 9 am today.
Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said sporadic riverbank erosion has been reported alongside the major rivers from Kurigram, Gaibandha and other areas and protection works are continuing at most places.
Divisional Commissioner KM Tariqul Islam said the displaced people already started returning homes as the flood situation continues improving everywhere in Rangpur division.
“The district administrations are ensuring proper distribution of relief goods, baby foods, animal fodders and cash money among the flood-hit people,” he said, adding that the government continues allocating more rice and money frequently for the purpose.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) for Kurigram Dilip Kumar Saha said 400 tonnes of rice and Taka 36.50 lakh allocated by the government are being distributed among 1.22 lakh flood-hit people of 16,100 families in the district.
“We got new allocations of 200 tonnes of rice and Taka five lakh on Monday for distribution among the flood-affected people of the district,” Saha added.
Gaibandha DRRO Mokhlesur Rahman said distribution of 200 tonnes of rice and Taka 13 lakh continues among 3.25 lakh flood-hit people in the district.
“The government allocated 200 tonnes of more rice and Taka five lakh on Monday,” he added.
Similarly, the government continues relief activities in the other flood-affected districts of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Bogura and Sirajganj despite continuous improvement of the flood situation.
Talking to BSS today, Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Amin Ahmed Khan said a total of 713 medical teams have been extending health and medicare services to the flood-hit people in Rangpur division alone.