Flood-affected people have been facing acute shortage of safe drinking water and food items.
Many are asking the volunteers for water as tube wells and other sources of safe water have gone under several feet-deep water due to the devastating flood in 11 districts.
People, who have still been marooned, say that they are not getting enough safe water and other food materials
Despite the volunteers are providing bottles of water, it has been adequate, locals of the affected districts say. A resident of Fatikchhari Union told media that all the tube wells and most of the ponds went under water in the floodwater.
“We have got some packets of oral saline and water purification tablets form the volunteers. But, we are worried whether we would get those staff again as the demand has gone up,” said Abdul Halim.
Locals of other areas say that it is almost the common phenomenon in every upazilas of the 11 districts.
One of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, Talak Mahmud Rafi on Saturday also cried for safe water while distributing relief materials in Feni.
“There has been a shortage of water. We need more water,” he said.
As floodwater begins to recede from the affected areas, the wreaked of havoc, done by it, are being visible.
Record shows that some 18 people have died while over 49 lakh people have been affected as the ongoing flood hits 77 upazilas in 11 districts of the country.
As the water started receding, health expert fear spreading of the water-borne diseases.
While visiting Sonaimuri Upazila of Noakhali district, health adviser Nurjahan Begum stressed the need for taking precautionary measures as water-borne diseases spread fast after the flood.
“Diarrhea, cholera and various skin diseases spread after the flood. From now on, we must be aware so that such diseases cannot spread in the affected areas,” she said.
Besides, a preliminary report of Roads and Highways Department shows that at least 462 kilometers of roads got affected due to the ongoing floods.
Some 111 roads were affected in these areas between August 20 and 22, RHD officials said.
Of the affected roads, 90.63 kilometers are national highways, 52.88 kilometers are regional highways, and 318.70 kilometers are district roads.
Water-borne diseases spreading
The affected districts include Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari.
According to the report, heavy rainfall and water flowing from upstream sources have submerged many roads, while strong currents have washed away sections of others.
Potholes have also developed on several roads due to the floodwaters.
Army, navy, coast guard, Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB), fire service and civil defence and students’ community in coordination with district administration are making rescue efforts in the flood-hit areas.
The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry has opened a control room for providing information and support for the flood-hit areas. The control room’s number is 0255101115.
Deputy Commissioners of flood affected districts have been given necessary directives to work together 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’.
Interested people have been requested to deposit or send money to the account named ‘Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund’. Account No: 0107333004093, Bank Name: Sonali Bank Corporate Branch, Chief Adviser’s Office.
