Flood situation worsens in Gaibandha, Faridpur

24 August 2009, 17:00 PM

Star National desk

Water from Karotoa River entering villages through the breached portion of the flood control embankment at Shahbazpur in Sunderganj upazila of Gaibandha yesterday.Photo: STAR

Though the flood situation has started improving in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Kurigram with recession of river waters, the situation further deteriorated in Gaibandha and Faridpur. In Gaibandha, flood engulfed 20 more villages in Sunderganj upazila as water from Karotoa river entered the villages through the breached portion of flood control embankment at Shabajpur yesterday, according to our correspondent. The river was flowing 47cm above the danger mark yesterday. Movement of vehicular traffic on Gobindaganj-Dinajpur road remains suspended, as the road is still under waist deep water at Khalshi. Seven villages in Shaghata upazila have been flooded as 50 metres of Karotoa embankment at Ramnagar collapsed on Sunday night. At least 150 families have become shelterless due to erosion by Katakhali river at village Hasilkandi. “We are shifting belongings to safer places fearing erosion,” said Abdus Samad Prodhan of village Ramnagar. Our Fridpur correspondent reported that fresh areas in two upazilas of the district have been inundated, leaving 10,000 families marooned. At least 70 villages of the two upazilas--Faridpur Sadar and Charbhadrasan-- went under went under on Sunday night as the Padma was flowing 21cm above the danger mark at Goalando point. Faridpur deputy commissioner yesterday visited some flood-hit areas under Faridpur Sadar upazila and distributed relief among the affected families. In Netrakona, the situation has slightly improved in bordering Kalmakanda and Durgapur upazilas but remains static in the low-lying areas of Mohangonj, Madan, Khaliajuri and Atpara upazilas, reports our correspondent. Water Development Board sources said the rivers Kongsha and Dhanu were flowing over danger levels yesterday. Erosion by the rivers Someshwari, Dhanu, Magra and Ubdakhali takes serious turn in different areas of the district. Someshwari devoured about 25 dwelling houses at Ranikong village under Durgapur upazila, Dhanu devoured about 30 dwelling houses at Jagannathpur village under Khaliajuri upazila, Mogra devoured over 20 dwelling houses at Sunajur villages under Atpara upazila and Ubdakhali devoured about 35 dwelling houses at Keshobpur village under Kalmakanda upazila in the last two days.