Flood situation in Akhaura improves, sufferings yet to ease
More than 5,000 people are still trapped in water. Unable to cook, they are sustaining on dry food
The flood situation in Brahmanbaria's Akhaura has improved as rainfall has stopped and the water flow from upstream in India has reduced.
However, more than 5,000 people are still trapped in water. Unable to cook, they are sustaining on dry food.
The flood water started receding last night (22 August). As a result, no new village was inundated.
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Besides, the water of the Howrah river has also started decreasing, with water levels dropping by 9cm between yesterday night and this afternoon, said Brahmanbaria Water Development Board Executive Engineer Manjur Ahmed.
At present, the river is flowing 35cm below the danger level.
Around 35 villages, including Bangechar, Abdullahpur, Khalapara, Bautla, Ariyal and Kalikapur of Akhaura Upazila, were flooded on 21 August as a result of heavy rains and river water coming down from the upstream of India's Gumti River. The next day, 22 August, at least five more villages were inundated as situations worsened.
Besides, two dams of the Howrah river in the upazila's Colonel Bazar and Khalapara areas were broken down due to the torrential water. This worsened the flood situation.
Nargis Akhter, a resident of the Khalapara area of Mogra Union of Akhaura, said their house was on the riverside. Their homestead was swallowed in the water that broke the dam of the Howrah River on Wednesday midnight.
They have currently taken shelter in someone else's house. She said they could not even build a new home as the land was not there anymore.
Abul Kashem, an elderly person, said that even though the water has gone down from the house, there is still water in the courtyard. As a result, it is not possible to leave the house. "We are more worried about the children at home as they could fall into the water."
Akhaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ghazala Parvin Ruhi said the flood situation is improving. The administration is carrying out relief distribution activities in the affected areas. Besides, when the water subsides, the broken dam will be repaired and made suitable for traffic, he said.
