Staff Reporter:
Over 60,000 people have been marooned in the northern district of Kurigram as the flood situation has worsened due to the swelling of rivers.
Academic activities at 37 government primary schools in six out nine upazilas of the district have been suspended while 2,300 hectares of croplands also got damaged.
New areas are being flooded daily as the water continues to rise.
Due to the flooding, ferry movement between Chilmari and Rowmari upazilas remained suspended.
On Thursday morning, the Water Development Board reported that the Brahmaputra River’s water level has risen by 78cm above the danger level at the Chilmari point, 72cm at the Nunkhawa point, and 80cm at the Hatia point.
On the other hand, the water levels of the Teesta River at Kaunia point, the Dudhkumar River at Pateshwari point, and the Dharla River at Shimulbari point are flowing below the danger level.
Residents in the char areas and low-lying regions near the rivers are the worst victims of the flood as water enters their homes. Many families along with their livestock have taken refuge on flood control embankments, enduring severe difficulties.
The submersion of both dirt and paved roads has disrupted the communication system, aggravating the plight of the flood victims.
Matiur, a resident of Porar Char in Jatrapur union of Sadar upazila, said the water from the Brahmaputra flooded their house and he worried about his livestock.
Matiar Rahman from Musa’s Char in Begumganj union also said, “Every house in our char is submerged. Some people are using boats, while others have built platforms to stay on higher ground. Every family here is suffering greatly.”
Water Development Board Executive Engineer Md Rakibul Hasan said, “The water levels of the Brahmaputra and other rivers flowing through the district may continue to rise for the next 48 hours. The Brahmaputra’s water is flowing above the danger level at three points, while other rivers’ water levels remain below the danger mark.”
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abdul Hai Sarkar told UNB that 62,200 people across the district have been marooned.
“So far, 173 tonnes of rice and Tk10 lakh have been allocated for distribution among the flood victims in nine upazilas. An additional 600 tonnes of rice and Tk30 lakh are in reserves and will be distributed gradually,” said the official.
However, local public representatives claimed the number of affected people exceeded one lakh.
