The third spell of flood triggered by heavy rainfall and onrush water from upstream has wrecked havoc on 11 districts of the country affecting over 52 lakh people, reports BSS.

“Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected as monsoon is active in south-eastern and north eastern parts of the country meaning overall flood situation may prolong in flood-hit districts,”  Executive Engineer of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre Sarder Udoy Raihan told the media on Sunday.

Residents of Feni district living in different parts of the country struggled to communicate with their loved ones through mobile phone since the past five days.

Officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said relief distribution efforts hampered severely as relief distribution teams, designated volunteers faced difficulties to reach flood-affected people.

Army camps have been set up at Chhagalnaiya and Parshuram upazilas. Bangladesh Army is reaching relief goods by waterways and road, and also using helicopters of their own, RAB and BGB in remote areas. Besides, rescue operations are continuing.

A field hospital has been prepared in the district for providing treatment.

Physicians from the army and district civil surgeon office are providing emergency treatment facilities.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has allocated Taka 62.00 lakh (cash), 2900 metric tons of rice, 6000 packets of dry food, Taka 5.00 lakh for baby food and Taka 5.00 lakh for the flood-affected people in Feni district.

According to information from meteorological agencies, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to occur in the eastern part of the country and adjacent uplands in the next 24 hours. At this time, the water level of Gumti river in Cumilla district of the region may remain stable and the flood situation in the adjacent low-lying areas may remain stable.

There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in the south-eastern region of the country and adjacent uplands in the next 24 hours.

The water level of Sangu, Matamuhuri, Karnafuli Halda and other major rivers of Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox's Bazar and Chittagong districts may also increase.

According to the latest updates on the ongoing flood issued by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, as many as 52,09, 798 people have been affected in the flood while 18 people have died so far.

Among the deaths, four were in Cumilla, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one each in Feni, Brahmanbaria and Lakshmipur and three in Cox's Bazar districts.

The flood hit 545 unions and municipalities under 77 upazilas in the 11 districts of the country.

Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur and Cox's Bazar districts have been affected in the ongoing flood since August 20.

A total of 10,47,029 families have been stranded in the flood while 4,15,273 people took refuge at 3,654 shelter centers. A total of 22,298 cattle were also given shelter there.

Taka 3.52 crore (cash), 20,650 metric tons of rice and 15,000 packets of dry food, Taka 35.00 lakh for baby food and Taka 35.00 lakh for animal feed have been allocated for the 11 flood-hit districts.

A total of 748 medical teams are working to provide treatment to the affected people in the flood-hit districts.

Army, navy, coast guard, Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB), fire service and civil defence and student community in coordination with district administrations are making rescue efforts in the flood-hit areas.

A total of 7200 bags or sacks of relief goods collected by members of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have been sent to flood-hit areas under the management of Disaster Management Department to continue relief operation.

The Adviser for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief heroic freedom fighter Faruk-E-Azam and Secretary Md Kamrul Hasan visited the flood-hit areas.

However, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief’s control room remains open round the clock for providing information and support. The control room’s number is 0255101115.

Concerned deputy commissioners have given directives to local clinics, hospitals and healthcare facilities for ensuring necessary services to flood-affected people.

Deputy Commissioners of flood affected districts have also been given necessary directives to work in coordination with coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Army, Navy, medical teams and other volunteers.

The people, who are interested to stand by the flood victims, have been urged to send money to 'Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund'.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan