Flood situation worsens in Sirajganj

In Sirajganj, the flood situation deteriorated yesterday.

Our Nilphamari Corespondent reported that as floodwater started receding, diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases broke out in the affected areas of the district.

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Seven year-old Lucky Akhtar died from diarrhoea at Jharsinghersor village under Dimla upazila, sources at the district health department control room said yesterday.

Unofficial sources said around 1000 people have been attacked with water-borne diseases in different flood-affected areas.

The control room said 64 medical teams are working in the affected areas. Each team consists of seven health workers, headed by a medical assistant.

A special mobile medical team is also in action.

Fourteen diarrhoea patients are being treated at six upazila health complexes and 200 others have been released after treatment, the control room said.

According to Rangpur Flood Control Room, the Teesta was flowing 37 cms below the danger mark on Tuesday.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry has allocated 50 metric tons (MTs) of rice for the flood victims. But these are yet to reach the affected areas as the official process is yet to be completed.

Our Sirajganj correspondent reported that flood and erosion in six upazilas of Sirajganj district have taken a serious turn due to rain and onrush of water from the upstream.

Water levels in Jamuna, Korotoa, Boral and Ganiani rivers rose yesterday, inundating more 20 villages.

Sources at the district relief and rehabilitation office said about three and a half lakh people in Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Kazipur, Chowhali, Shahjadpur and Ullapara upazilas have been affected by flood.

Of them, 20,000 are marooned in char areas were about 4,500 houses have gone under water.

According to the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), more than 1,500 tube wells have gone under water, creating a crisis of drinking water in the affected areas.

The district administration has sanctioned 40 metric tons of rice for the flood affected people.

Sources in the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said 18,600 hectares of aus, aman, vegetable, maize and sugarcane fields have gone under water.