The ongoing flood in Bangladesh has so far claimed eight lives, said state minister for disaster management and relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman on Thursday.
Four died in Jamalpur and one each in Lalmonirhat, Sunamganj, Sylhet and Tangail districts.
"The current flood has engulfed 18 districts and affected over 2.2-million people," Dr Rahman told a press briefing at his ministry at the secretariat.
He said a total of 535 unions under 92 sub-districts across the country are affected by floods.
The junior minister said the ongoing flood might not be so severe and longer which was previously predicted.
"Floods might not stay longer this year," he hoped, saying that the water level of different rivers will start to fall in the next 48 hours.
Citing a report of the flood forecasting and warning centre, he said the Brahmaputra was now stable while the water level of the Jamuna started rising.
The state minister said the water level of the Brahmaputra will start to reduce and that of the Jamuna will remain stable within the next 48 hours.
He, however, said the waters of the Ganges and the Padma will increase within the next 48 hours.
Excepting the Kushiara, Mr Rahman said, the water level of major rivers of the upper Meghna have started to reduce and it will continue.
The flood situation in Sylhet, Sunamganj and Kurigram may improve within the next 24 hours, he mentioned.
On the other hand, the situation in Gaibandha, Bogura, Jamalpur, Natore and Naogaon will remain stable.
He warned that the situation in Sirajganj, Tangail, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Rajbari and low-lying areas of Dhaka might worsen. A total of 1,544 flood shelter centres in 12 worst-affected districts have housed 30,705 people and 56,031 cattle.
Mr Rahman said 596 medical teams have been formed. Of them, 197 teams are working along with Ansar, village defence party, volunteers and non-governmental organisations there.
Directives were given to those who are staying at shelter centres to wear masks and maintain social distancing to contain the further spread of COVID-19.
