Flood-affected people want urgent relief work to reduce their sufferings
AT LEAST 1.5 lakh people were marooned in 16 upazilas of five districts of Rangpur Division – Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Nilphamari and Gaibandha – as transboundary rivers Teesta, Dharla, Dudkumar and Brahmaputra flowed above the danger level. Teesta water was flowing 40cm above the danger level at Dalia Point, Dharla was above 30cm, Brahmaputra was 20cm above the danger mark at Chilmari point, and Dudkumar was 25cm above the danger mark at Kurigram Point on Friday morning. The officials at the local BWDB office warned residents of low-lying areas in the district to remain alert about an aggravating flood situation. Many people in the five flood-affected districts struggled to save their cattle. The water levels in 67 of the monitored 109 rivers are now rising across the country.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department weather bulletin stated that light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty wind, are likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions and at many places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country. The local livestock industry is likely to suffer similar losses as the pre-existing cattle feed crisis in the affected districts has deepened due to the current situation. Livestock, poultry, and farmlands were affected by the floods that may spell food insecurity amid the global economic instability. The agricultural ministry and local administration should gear up their awareness campaign and recovery support thus farmers recover their losses quickly.
Immediate relief works need to be started and reach the people in the end. During the monsoon and pre-monsoon, it is regular that the low-lying areas of the Teesta, Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers flooded, though no effective and sustainable measures have been taken since independence. To reduce people’s suffering in these areas, alternative livelihood opportunities should be in the cards and people’s adaptability should be stimulated. Besides, lifting sands from riverbeds that affect river erosion and wash away strongly-built dams and dykes, should be stopped.
