Floods engulf fresh areas in northern districts

Flood situation in several northern districts remains grave, amid heavy downpour and onrush of water from the upstream across the border.

Over one lakh of people of 95 villages in 16 unions of five upazilas under Lalmonirhat district are badly affected by the floods, reports our correspondent.

The flow in the Dharla River receded slightly but it was still above the danger mark at Noonkhawa Ghat point.

A portion of under construction river erosion protection embankment was washed away due to strong current of the river at bordering Mogholhat village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila yesterday morning, said Water Development Board (WDB) officials.

Fisherman Helal Uddin, 30, son of late Sahor Uddin of Madhya Kadma village of the upazila, went to the Maldah River for catching fish on Saturday night but he drowned and his body was found floating on the river at Bhelaguri village of Hatibandha upazila in the district the same night, family members said.

"We the flood affected people are facing acute crisis of pure drinking water and food but we are not getting help from any corners," said Nazir Ali, 62, at Char Kalmati village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.

About 8,000 acres of land with standing with aman paddy is still under the flood water in the district, said sources of the Department of Agriculture Extension.

Our Rangpur Correspondent reports: Incessant rain and the onrush of water from the upstream of the Teesta River over the last few days flooded several villages in three upazilas of the district.

Around one lakh people in 115 villages of Teesta river basin area in Gangachhara, Kaunia and Pirgachha upazilas of Rangpur were marooned as low lying areas of the district went under water due to heavy rain and onrush of water from across the border.

Md Aminur Rashid, sub-assistant engineer, also in charge of hydrology department in WDB Rangpur office, said the water levels of Teesta increased suddenly on Thursday afternoon as all the gates at Gojoldoba Barrage in India were kept open.

AKM Kamrul Hasan, in charge of Rangpur met office, said the office recorded 444.2mm rainfall in three days till yesterday.

Our Gaibandha Correspondent reports: Flood situation in Gaibandha district has worsened further.

Over 40 thousand people in different char lands in Teesta and Jamuna river basin areas have been marooned and huge crops including aman seedlings, aus and vegetables submerged by floodwater.

According to WDB, the Jamuna is flowing 10 centimetres above the danger mark at Balashi point and Teesta, Ghagot and Karotoa rivers are likely to cross the red mark any time.

Sundarganj upazila administration opened 12 flood shelters in different flood affected areas and shifting marooned people there, said UNO Abdul Hye Milton.

Sabuj Mia, 9, son of Jobed Ali of Deluabari village in Fulchhari upazila drowned while taking bath in the flood water near his house yesterday, said MA Sabur Sarker, chairman of Fulchhari union parishad.

Our Bogra Correspondent reports: The Jamuna was flowing 49 cm above the danger mark at Shariakandi point under Bogra district yesterday afternoon, WDB sources said.

Local administration source said at least 12 thousand people of the upazila have been marooned.

Paddy seedbeds, vegetables and lentils on 1100 hectares of land have gone under water and 22 educational institutions have been flooded in last three days, they said.

Our Jamalpur Correspondent adds: The Jamuna was flowing 35cm over the danger mark at Bahadurabad hard-point in Islampur upazila of the district yesterday afternoon, said sources at WDB.

The sudden floods inundated low-lying areas and 10-12 thousand people have been marooned, said sources of local administration.