BOGURA: Due to prolonged flood-like situation people living in the char areas of Sariakandi, Sonatola and Dhunat upazilas of Bogura district and Sirajganj district are facing severe food and pure drinking-water crisis. Water- borne skin diseases are affecting the flood-hit people in the districts.
The water in the mighty Jamuna is flowing 38 cm above the danger level at Sariakandi, Sonatola and Dhunot upazilas of Bogura, on Tuesday causing serious problem for living on dyke of the river.
After a recess for a day, the water level at Sirajganj Point of Jamuna River is rising again. In the last 24 hours, the water level of the hard point of Sirajganj town protection dam of the Jamuna river has increased by 8 cm and it was flowing over 40 cm of danger level on Tuesday morning.
On the other hand, at Kazipur point, the water of the Jamuna River has increased by 12 cm and is flowing 42cm above the danger level, Water Development Board (WDB) official Abdul Latif confirmed the information.
Villagers are marooned in floodwater as the Jamuna River has increased in the last 24 hours.
As a result of the continuous increase in water level, flood-water has entered various areas including the char areas of the Jamuna. Several croplands in the lowlands have been inundated by the flood waters.
The low-income group people who live from hand to mouth are worst sufferers as they could not be able to store foods and other home-based essential materials. As the houses were submerged, people took shelter in boats and set up high bamboo floors in the tin-shed houses.
Besides, the tubewells in the low-lying areas have gone under water so the people of the area are facing paucity of pure drinking water. They are to bring tubewell water from distant places by boat.
Three hundred and fifty families lost their homes and somehow took shelter in a new char adjacent to Kalirchar in the neighbouring Islampur upazila. There, too, half of the tin-fenced dwelling houses sank into the Jamuna slope. Many families are still floating there. Many are spending sleepless nights.
On the other hand, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Sariakandi Abdul Halim said, “Hundreds of hectares of cropland including transplanted Aman, seedbed, vegetables and masakalai have been submerged in flood waters”.
Besides, over 12,000 hectares of cropland have been submerged and flood-hit people are suffering for want of pure drinking water as well as food materials for the last few days.
Aus paddy and jute and vegetable fields have been submerged by the flood- waters, causing losses to farmers. There has been an acute fodder crisis.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Extension Abu Hanif said crops on around 5670 hectares of land including transplanted Aman, sown Aman, early vegetables, sugarcane, seedbed and almonds in the low-lying and char areas along the river have been submerged due to rising water over the past few days.
Deputy assistant engineer of Water Development Board Nasir Uddin said the water of the Jamuna River in the district is rising at all points and flowing over the danger zone. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has warned that the water level will rise till September 04.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abdur Rahim said, "Sixty tonnes of rice have already been distributed in 5 upazilas and Tk 60,000 in each union in Sirajganj. More allocation will be given depending on the situation”.
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