Jamuna, Padma erosions devour more than 1,000 houses in Manikganj

More than 1,000 houses in Manikganj district have been lost due to erosion as water in Padma, Jamuna and other rivers continue to rise.

Thousands of people have been stranded as the water levels continue to increase, reports our correspondent quoting Manikganj's Deputy Commissioner, Muhammad Abdul Latif.

Abdul Latif said, "We have already distributed 20 kg of rice to each of the 452 victims of erosion and 10 kg of rice to each of the 500 flood victims. We're compiling a list of more people who are affected in order to secure government assistance."

"The Disaster Management Directorate delivered 1,000 sacks of dry and other foods to us yesterday. Each sack contains 10 kg of Miniket rice, one kg lentils, salt, sugar, two kg of flattened rice, one litre of cooking oil, and a packet of instant noodles. 

Manikganj Water Development Board's gauge reader, Faruk Hossain, told The Daily Star that at 3pm today, Jamuma river was flowing 40cm above danger mark at Aricha in Manikganj, an increase of 8cm in 24 hours from 3pm yesterday.

The Kaliganga river was 7cm above danger mark at Tora point, having increased by 13cm during the same period, while the Dhaleshwari river was 23cm below danger mark at Jagir point, despite having increased by 8cm. Water in other rivers, including Padma, is also rising by 7 to 8cm per day, he said.