RANGPUR, Sept 9, 2021 (BSS) - The flood situation improved further today
amid sporadic incidents of riverbank erosion at places due to stronger
current with sharp fall in water levels of major rivers in the Brahmaputra
basin.

     Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said all major
rivers were flowing well below the danger levels (DL) at all points in the
deluge-affected northern districts where many displaced people had already
returned homes.

     Meanwhile, the government through the district administrations has
intensified relief activities in flood affected areas of Kurigram, Gaibandha,
Jamalpur, Bogura and Sirajganj districts in the basin.

     Talking to BSS today, Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti
Prosad Ghosh said incidents of sporadic riverbank erosion have been reported
from several new areas alongside major rivers in Kurigram and Gaibandha
districts.

     "All flood control embankments and structures are remaining safe under
the BWDB's Rangpur zone where riverbank protection works are continuing at
some vulnerable points," he said.

     Following further sharp falls in their water levels, the Brahmaputra was
flowing below the DL by 119cm at Noonkhawa, 116cm at Hatia and 59cm at
Chilmari while Dharla by 69cm at Kurigram and Ghaghot by 85cm at Gaibandha
points at 9 am today.

     The Jamuna was flowing below the DL by 73cm at Fulchhari and 87cm at
Shaghta points in Gaibandha, 68cm at Bahadurabad in Jamalpur, 39cm at
Sariakandi in Bogura and 20cm at Kazipur and 24cm at Sirajganj points at 9 am
today.

     The Teesta was flowing below the DL by 35cm at Dalia point in Nilphamari
and 47cm at Kawnia point in Rangpur at 9 am today.

     Talking to BSS, Executive Engineer of BWDB for its Kurigram Division
Ariful Islam said riverbank protection works are continuing at some
vulnerable points alongside major rivers in the district.

     Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman for Gaibandha division of BWDB said
riverbank protection works are continuing at several points in the district.

     Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md Zakir Hossain said
relief activities have been intensified as the displaced people are returning
homes with continuous improvement of the flood situation in all deluge-
affected areas of Rangpur division.

      Distribution of Taka 3.50 lakh and 20 tonnes of rice among flood-
affected people in Rangpur, 80 tonnes of rice and Taka eight lakh in
Gaibandha and 280 tonnes of rice and Taka 12 lakh in Kurigram continues among
the flood-affected people.

     Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said
floodwater has submerged standing crops on 30,428 hectares of land in low-
lying areas of four districts in Rangpur agriculture region alone.

     "We are assessing the crop damages that might be less due to a short
time submergence of standing crops during the deluge and preparing to take
next steps to recoup the crop losses," said Additional Director of the DAE's
Rangpur region Bidhu Bhusan Ray.