The flood situation worsened as continuous heavy rains and landslides from upstream inundated new areas in Sherpur. Residents think that this time is worse than the flood of '88. The people of Jhenaigati, Nalitabari and Srivardi upazilas bordering the district are disoriented.
The flood victims have been suffering due to non-stop rain since Sunday morning.
According to the Water Development Board, the water in Bhogai river in Nalitabari has decreased to 51 cm above the water line and the water in Chellakhali river has decreased to 185 cm above the water line.
Several areas in the lower areas of Sherpur Sadar and Nakla Upazila are being flooded as the water from the upstream stream continues to come down. Still, the crop fields of at least a hundred villages of 5 upazilas of Sherpur are under cultivation. Many houses were submerged in water. Apart from this, the farmers have become disoriented as fish worth crores of rupees have washed away from the fish farms in various places.
The bodies of Abu Hatim (30) and Alamgir (17), two sons of Bachir Uddin of Abhaynagar village of Nalitabari Upazila, who went missing in the flood waters last Friday night in search of safe shelter, were recovered from a paddy field in the area on Saturday. With this, the death toll in Nalitabari upazila has risen to five. Jahura Khatun (45), wife of Abdul Hakim of Batkuchi village, is still missing. Apart from this, the melted body of an unidentified woman belonging to a small ethnic group was found in flood water in Sandhyakura area of Jhenaigati.
Flood victims say that this year's flood has exceeded the previous record. Many have said that this time is worse than the flood of '88. The fish farmers say that they have become destitute as the fish in their farms were washed away. In many places, houses and trees have been destroyed by the heavy rains. Due to rising water, stoves are not burning in many houses. So cooking and eating are closed. Flood-affected families face shortage of dry food and clean water. Many are running to safe places and shelters as houses are submerged. The army, BGB, members of the fire service and various voluntary organizations are working to rescue the people trapped in the water. Governmental and private relief efforts are continuing, but they are insufficient compared to the need.
The road has been cut off from Sherpur through Tinani on Saturday afternoon due to the collapse of the road near Ranigaon Bridge on the Nalitabari Regional Highway due to the strong flow of mountain torrents. Apart from this, the road from Sherpur via Gazi Khar to Nalitabari is flowing over 4 places of Kalspar Union at a high speed, so vehicles and people are moving on that road at risk. Apart from this, flood water is flowing over at least 10 important internal roads of the district including Nalitabari-Nakugaon land port road.
Officials of the Sherpur District Agricultural Extension Department say that 7,696 hectares of rice plantations in the district have been completely submerged, 9,693 hectares of rice plantations have been partially submerged. Apart from this, 208 hectares of vegetable land has been completely submerged and 413 hectares partially submerged. 65 thousand 400 farmers have been affected by the flood.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tarafdar Mahmudur Rahman said on Sunday morning that there was no heavy rain on Saturday night. But it is raining again since Sunday morning. Army, members of BGB voluntary organization and members of upazila administration, fire service are working to rescue people trapped in water in flood-affected areas. All measures have been taken to help the flood victims. Relief activities at the government and private levels are in full swing in the flood-affected areas. Apart from that, 17 medical teams are working in the area to provide health care to the tribal people and all measures have been taken to ensure the treatment of the flood v
