The water levels of the Monu and Dhalai rivers have subsided a little, but the flooding in Moulvibazar district has worsened after a portion of a dam to protect the town collapsed and submerged new areas.
Around 200,000 people have been stranded in the northeastern district.
Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Md Tofael Islam on Monday said that at least seven people reportedly drowned in floodwaters in past few days.
He said around 6,500 people have been moved to 44 emergency shelters.
The DC said dams along the Monu and Dhalai rivers collapsed at several places, submerging roads to Sylhet City, Kulaurha, Barhalekha, Rajnagar and Kamalganj upazilas and Chatlapur Land Port.
He also said the district administration has distributed around Tk 1 million, 743 tonnes of rice, and 3,000 packets of dry food among the flood-affected people.
The authorities have also deployed 74 medical teams to help the flood victims, he added.
The Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Red Crescent, and many organisations are working together to help the people in Moulvibazar.
Bangladesh Water Development Board Executive Engineer Ranendra Shankar Chakraborty said the Monu River’s water has reached a record high this year.
The district’s Controller of Food Manoj Bikash Das Chowdhury said they feared 600 tonnes of rice will be destroyed as floodwaters have entered four of the government warehouses.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya visited the district and sat with officials of the local administration in the morning.
He said the government has allocated 2,700 tonnes of rice for 13 districts, including Moulvibazar.
A control room has been opened to monitor the situation round the clock, according to him.
Citing Met Office report, the minister said flooding in the north may worsen. He has asked the district administrations to be prepared to tackle the situation, reports bdnews24.
Maya said the government was working to dredge the rivers and Haor or backswamps, and repair the damaged dams.
