Flood eases in southeast, fresh flooding feared in north

The overall flood conditions in parts of the southeastern region have continued to improve as river water receded in several affected areas, but authorities warned that rising water levels of some rivers in the north could trigger fresh flooding in the low-lying districts over the next few days.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Kushiyara River was flowing above the danger level at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and Markuli in Sunamganj.

The death toll from the recent floods, triggered by incessant rainfall, upstream hill runoff and landslides, stood at 58, while over 1.21 million people have been affected across seven districts, according to the latest update from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

Among the fatalities, 32 deaths were reported in Cox’s Bazar, including 19 local residents and 13 Rohingyas. Chattogram recorded 15 deaths, Bandarban seven, Rangamati three, and Moulvibazar one.

The floods have severely affected seven districts – Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar and Habiganj.

The disaster has inundated 57 upazilas, affecting 362 unions and eight municipalities. A total of 52,493 families remain marooned.

Northern districts at flood risk

The FFWC on Friday said water levels of the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers declined over the previous 24 hours but are likely to rise again during the next three days. The rivers may cross the danger level at some points, causing short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts.

The agency also said water levels of the Kushiyara River increased while the Surma River receded. Water levels of both rivers may rise over the next three days, keeping the flood situation in adjacent low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj largely stable over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, water levels of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma river systems have increased and may continue rising over the next five days. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna may reach the warning level at several points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur and Bogura, with adjacent low-lying areas facing temporary inundation.

The well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay weakened into a low-pressure area over North Odisha and adjoining Bihar and Gangetic West Bengal, according to the FFWC.

Relief materials distributed in Ctg 

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury distributed relief materials in Patenga, Chattogram, on Friday. He said relief had already reached nearly 1 lakh people and rehabilitation efforts had begun.

The minister said the government would continue providing rice, cooked meals and dry food until rehabilitation is completed. He added that damaged roads were being repaired on an emergency basis.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Friday announced that farmers affected by recent floods in five districts of the Chattogram region will receive rice seeds and seedlings.

The minister made the announcement while briefing journalists after inaugurating the distribution of rice seeds and agricultural inputs among affected farmers, fish farmers and livestock rearers, as well as a livestock vaccination campaign, in Dohazari, Chattogram.

He also said all livestock in the five flood-affected districts of the Chattogram region would be vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) within the next 15 days. He added that all necessary support would continue to help farmers resume cultivation as quickly as possible.

To tackle shortages of livestock feed caused by the floods, the government has allocated Tk3.5 million in the first phase.

He further said the government plans to establish around 2,000 mini cold storage facilities across the country in phases to help farmers preserve produce and sell it when market prices are favourable.

Addressing flood mitigation, Amin Ur Rashid said efforts would continue to recover illegally occupied government canals and undertake necessary dredging activities to improve drainage and reduce waterlogging.

In Bandarban, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and Land Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin announced a one-month waiver of microcredit instalments and interest for flood-affected women entrepreneurs.

Speaking at a relief distribution programme, he said the government had already launched rehabilitation efforts and would prioritise assistance for affected families, farmers, livestock owners and fishermen. Around 300 flood-hit families received 25 kg of rice each during the programme. The state minister later visited Roangchhari upazila to inspect flood-affected areas and distribute relief assistance.
_________________________________________
The reporter can be reached at [email protected]