Flood-hit people returning homes

Many displaced people started returning homes following further improvement of the flood situation in the deluge-hit northern districts in the Brahmaputra basin during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am Tuesday.

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said water levels of major rivers marked further sharp falls to flow below their respective danger levels (DL) at most places except at Kazipur and Sirajganj points.

The improving trend in the flood situation may continue with further recession in water levels of the major rivers in the basin during the next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, sporadic incidents of riverbank erosion have been reported from several points alongside the Dharla, Dudhkumar, Teesta, Brahmaputra, Ghaghot and Jamuna rivers due to stronger river current with recession of floodwater.

Water levels of the Brahmaputra marked falls by 25cm at Noonkhawa, 28cm at Hatia and 25cm at Chilmari while Dharla marked fall by 41cm at Kurigram and Ghaghot by 26cm at Gaibandha points during the last 24 hours.

Water levels of the Jamuna marked sharp falls by 32cm at Fulchhari, 35cm at Shaghata, 34cm at Bahadurabad, 29cm at Sariakandi, 22cm at Kazipur and 25cm at Sirajganj points during the period.

The Brahmaputra was flowing below the DL by 98cm at Noonkhawa, 82cm at Haita and 33cm at Chilmari while Dharla by 33cm at Kurigram and Ghaghot by 53cm below the DL at Gaibandha points at 9 am.

The Jamuna was flowing below the DL by 39cm at Fulchhari, 57cm at Shaghata, 36cm at Bahadurabad, 2cm each at Sariakandi while above the DL by 11cm at Kazipur and 8cm at Sirajganj points at 9 am.

However, water levels of the Teesta marked rises by 10cm at Dalia and 3cm at Kawnia points in Nilphamari and were flowing below the DL by 20cm and 52cm at these points respectively at 9 am.

Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said sporadic riverbank erosion was being reported alongside major rivers from Kurigram, Gaibandha and other areas and riverbank protection works are continuing at most places.

Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md Zakir Hossain said the displaced people have already started returning homes as the flood situation continues improving everywhere in Rangpur division.

“The district administrations are ensuring proper distribution of relief goods and cash money among the flood-hit people,” he said.