As floodwater has started receding in the districts of Sherpur, Mymensingh and Netrakona, the extent of damage caused by recent flooding is becoming visible.
The flood situation is improving gradually in the three districts due to less rainfall and fall in water levels of major rivers, but local residents are grappling with problems.
Some 5,000 people remain stranded in Sherpur as floodwater is receding slowly in Jhenaigati, Sreebordi, Sadar, and Nakla upazilas.
According to Water Development Board (WDB), water levels of major rivers such as the Bhogai, Chellakhali, and Brahmaputra have dropped below danger levels, showing an improving situation. However, many people are facing hardship as flood have caused damage to their homesteads and properties.
The flood situation is also improving gradually at Haluaghat, Dobaura, and Fulbaria upazilas of Mymensingh district, despite intermittent rain on Thursday night.
However, around 7,000 families of 32 villages remain trapped by floodwaters. They are facing a shortage of food and pure drinking water. In Fulbaria, floodwaters are receding slowly, leaving several families relying on emergency shelters.
Phulpur Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) ABM Ariful Islam said that the flood situation is improving. But floodwater is receding very slowly.
Floodwater is receding at least 25 unions in five upazilas of Netrakona district, although approximately 2,000 families are still stranded.
Aman paddy on at least 22,500 hectares of land were submerged by floodwater in the district, causing an estimated loss of Tk 293 crore. Fisheries in the region have also been affected severely. Fish was washed away from around 1,500 ponds, causing losses of over Tk 9 crore.
Md. Nuruzzaman, Deputy Director at Department of Agricultural Extension, said that Aman paddy on at least 25,000 hectares of land are still under water which is causing a loss of about Tk 293 crore.
Local government officials have said that roads and other infrastructures were damaged by floodwaters causing a loss of around Tk 122 crore. In many low-lying areas, villagers are still using makeshift rafts made of banana trees or relying on boats to move around, they added.
