The North praying it doesn’t rain

Vast areas in the country's northern and north-western region have been submerged by floodwater, causing immense suffering to thousands of people.

The onrush of water from upstream contributed to the flood, said an official of the Water Development Board (WDB).

Besides, river erosion in some areas has taken a serious turn, causing panic among the riverside dwellers. Many structures including households have been devoured by rivers in the last couple of days.

In Rangpur, low-lying areas of Gangachara and Pirgachha upazilas have been inundated due to the rise in the water level of the Teesta river. Some 10, 000 families of the two upazilas are remaining marooned till yesterday.

Besides, some 50 houses have already been washed away by river erosion, while many other structures are at risk.

"We are fear that situation may deteriorate if rains," said Abdullah Al Hadi, chairman of Laxmitari union parishad in Gangachara upazila.

The upazila's Bagerhat village was flooded around one week ago after an embankment was washed away due to river erosion. The victims have taken shelter on roads and other high places. They are passing days under the open sky.

"Along with other villagers, we have been staying in this makeshift tent made of polythene for eight days as our houses have been inundated," said Ruhul Amin, a resident of West Ichli village in Gangachara upazila.

"We are facing an acute crisis of food and drinking water," said Sultana Begum, a victim of the same village.

Contacted local administration officials said they were arranging sufficient food assistance and drinking water for the flood-hit people, while WDB officials claimed that they were working to protect river erosion by using geobags.

In Lalmonirhat, at least 40 villages and Chars have been inundated in the last three days affecting around 15,000 people.

The Teesta river was flowing above 10 centimetre above the danger level. It may rise further if the onrush of water from upstream continues, said Mizanur Rahman, executive engineer of WDB in the district.

"My house and croplands have been remaining under water for around three days," said Badiar Rahman, 60, of Sadar upazila's Kalmati village.

"Boat has become the lone mode of communications in our area as all of our roads have been submerged," said Afzal Hossain, 62, a resident of Chouraha village in Aditmari upazila.

In Tangail, erosion of the Jamuna river has taken a serious turn in Kalihati upazila.

Around 100 structures, including 17 dwelling houses and 26 shops, at Bhairabbari and Alipur villages in the upazila were devoured by the river in the last two days.

"We have been demanding government's effective measure for a long time to end river erosion. But our demands remain unimplemented," said Abdul Malek of Gohaliabari village.

Vising the area, Kalihati upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Rumana Tanjin Antara told journalists that necessary measures would be taken regarding this matter.

Our correspondents from Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat and Tangail contributed to the report