Flood situation worsens, ministry cancels holidays

The flood situation in several parts of Bangladesh has worsened after heavy downpour and upstream courses swelled major rivers.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 13 August 2017, 02:11 PM
Updated : 13 August 2017, 02:22 PM

Around 60,000 families in Kurigram and at least 400 families in Nilphamari have become marooned, according to reports from bdnews24.com district correspondents.

The situation is alarming in Jamalpur where the Jamuna River is flowing above the danger level.

It is 64cm higher than the danger level at the Bahadurabad point.

The local administration cancelled examinations in 11 schools across the district on Saturday, said Jamalpur Primary Education Officer Shahidul Islam.

At least 50,000 people are stranded in floodwaters while road links between unions and district towns have been snapped, locals said.

Golam Mostafa, Upazila Nirbahi Officer or UNO at Dewanganj, said 10 metric tonnes of rice are in stock to be distributed as relief among the flood victims. 

To combat the situation, the government has cancelled regular holidays of all the officials as well as field workers involved with disaster management and relief activities.

They include workers of the Department of Disaster Management or DDM and Cyclone Preparedness Programme or CPP.

They will be have to stay in office and not take any leave until further notice, the ministry said in an announcement made on Sunday.

The offices will remain open on Aug 14 and Aug 15 as well, it said.

Hindus in Bangladesh will celebrate Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna, on Aug 14 while Aug 15, the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is observed as the National Mourning Day at state level.

According to the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the water level in three major river basins will be on the rise for the next few days.

Meanwhile, local administration in Dinajpur has asked for army personnel to rescue flood victims.

Bangladesh Water Development Board reported that water in Punarbhaba River was flowing 7.4 mm above the danger level. It has also breached the city protection dam and is flooding the low lands now.

Border Guard Bangladesh or BGB personnel are trying to repair the dam.

Thousands of people in Birol, Bochaganj, Kaharol, Birganj and Khanshama are stranded in floodwaters, said Deputy Commissioner Meer Khairul Alam.

Educational institutions are being used as shelters, he told bdnews24.com.

Dinajpur Met Office recorded 275 mm rainfall in 24 hours until 9am Sunday, said its In-Charge Tofazzur Rahman.