5,000 waterlogged families in Nilphamari face food, water shortage

At least 5,000 families in 15 villages in Nilphamari are living almost without food and drinking water as Teesta water has started receding.

The government’s relief supplies are yet to reach them. Locals say there are chances of outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Teesta water was flowing just above the danger line at Dalia Point on Sunday afternoon.

Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Zakir Hossain said they had allocated 15 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 30,000 in cash for Dimla Upazila and another 5 MT rice and Tk 10,000 for Jaldhaka Upazila.

Local public representatives, who are supposed to distribute the relief supplies, said they were yet to get them until Sunday.

East Chhatnai Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Latif Khan said he had heard there were "meagre allocations" for residents of the villages.

"We haven't received them," he said wondering when they would get it.

Residents of the submerged areas have been waterlogged for several days now and are facing acute food and water shortage.

"It's been like this for three days now," 'Saidul', 45, of Paschim Baishpukur village said.

"My five-acre paddy field has been destroyed by the flood," he said. "There's no food at home and I can't go out to work.

"I don't know what to do," Saidul said.