RAJSHAHI, Oct 5, 2020– The overall flood situation in the Ganges basin has improved for the second consecutive day today as water level in many of its rivers and tributaries recorded a falling trend in the last 24-hour ending this morning.
Of the 30 river points, monitored in the Ganges basin today, water levels receded at 23 points, while increased at five points and remained steady at two other points, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
The rivers were flowing below the danger level at 28 points, while above the danger level at two other points today.
Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) recorded a falling trend at all the eight points except one of the Ganges and the Padma Rivers today, Mukhlesur Rahman, Superintending Engineer of BWDB, told BSS.
Water level in the Ganges River further receded by 17 centimeter (cm) at Pankha in Chapainawabganj, 18 cm each at Rajshahi and at Hardinge Bridge and 13 cm at Talbaria points afresh respectively.
Water level in the Korotoa River increased by two cm at Bogura point and receded by 16 cm at Chak Rahimpur point afresh. The Korotoa River was still flowing 88 cm above the danger level at Chak Rahimpur point this morning.
FFWC Executive Engineer Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan said a falling trend has been recorded at all the six points of the Jamuna River for the last couple of days.
The Jamuna River receded by 31 cm, 22 cm and 27 cm at Sariakandi in Bogura, at Kazipur in Sirajganj and at Sirajganj points respectively.
The Gur River receded by 11 cm in its Shingra point in Natore afresh but still flowing 18 cm above the danger mark. The Atrai River remained stable at Baghabari in Sirajganj flowing 15 cm above the danger level.
The Mahananda River increased by one cm at Rohanpur, while receded by seven cm at Chapainawabganj points afresh.
Of the 16 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra Basins, being monitored in many districts under Rajshahi division regularly, water levels increased at three points, while declined at 13 points and remained stable at one point.
The rivers were flowing below the danger level in 13 points, while above the danger mark at three other points this morning.
Meanwhile, the local administration has been continuously distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas since the flood began.
More than 9.25 lakh people of around 2.23 lakh flood-affected families in different districts of the division have, so far, received relief materials to overcome their livelihood related hardships caused by the natural disaster.
The government, as part of its instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the catastrophic situation, has allocated 1,841.1 tonnes of rice, Taka 45.35 lakh in cash, 22,803 packets of dry-food, Taka 27 lakh for baby food and Taka 36 lakh for animal feed.
Moinul Islam, additional commissioner of Rajshahi division, said distribution of the allocated relief materials among the affected families in the division is on final stage.
Apart from this, 2,098.6 tonnes of rice, Taka 29.71 lakh, 2,177 packets of dry food, Taka two lakh for baby food and Taka five lakh for animal feed remain in stock for distribution, he said.
Simultaneously, the Department of Health has undertaken all possible measures to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases among the flood affected people amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Some 6,317 patients were reported to have suffered from various water-related diseases and 25 people died in flood related incidents, particularly drowning and snakebite since July 1, sources said.