Even though the rain has subsided, the flood situation in three upazilas of Sherpur has worsened due to heavy downpours coming down from Meghalaya in India. Three people have died so far.
As the flood water is going downstream, new areas have been flooded in the lower areas of Nalitabari, Jhenaigati and Srivardi upazilas. New flood water has also entered the lower part of Nakla upazila.
At least 122 villages of 20 unions of those four upazilas have been flooded. About 60,000 people are trapped in these areas.
News of the death of three people, including a woman, has been received in Nalitabari while searching for safe shelter due to water entering the house.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Masud Rana confirmed these deaths.
Along with the fire brigade and volunteers, the army has also started rescue operations to rescue people trapped in water.
Nalitabari upazila executive officer said that a smart team of Sherpur army camp was involved in the rescue operation.
It can be seen on the ground today, Saturday morning, that the flood situation in Nalitabari and Jhenaigati upazilas has taken a dire shape. All the 17 unions including one municipality of those two upazilas have been flooded by the water from the hills. Several houses have collapsed due to the flood. Paddy and vegetable fields have been submerged, pond fish, plants, poultry, cattle and goats have been washed away. Farmers have suffered huge losses. The people of many areas have suffered due to the roads being submerged and broken by the torrential water.
Since Friday evening, the army and fire service have come to rescue the people trapped in water. Rescuers have evacuated at least a thousand families in danger from different areas to higher and safer shelters. A volunteer rescue team called Rapid Response BD rescued a three-month-old baby from the ceiling of a house in Dighirpar village of Jhenaigati upazila on Friday midnight. The family members kept the child on the ceiling to keep the child safe as the water rose up to chest level inside the house. Rescuers from Mymensingh rescued the entire family including the child from there.
Meanwhile, the upazila administration has declared all the schools of Jhenaigati and Nalitabari upazilas as shelters. Control rooms have been opened and separate teams have been formed for each union and municipality with officials to coordinate relief and rescue operations. Upazila administration is distributing clean water and dry food to the flood affected people, said the officials.
Upazila Executive Officer Md. Masud Rana said that Nalitabari Municipality, Kakarkandi, Baghber, Nayabil, Poragao, Kalspar, Nanni, Nalitabari Sadar, Yogania, Morichpuran and all the unions have been affected by landslides. Gagkanda Government Primary School, Taraganj School, Taraganj Women’s Madrasa, Kalinagar Government School, Charu School, Abdul Hakim High School and College, Taraganj Women’s Hostel have been instructed to open all nearby educational institutions as shelters. A speedboat, life jackets and other equipment have been arranged for conducting the rescue work. Rescue work is going on.
Md. Nakibuzzaman Khan, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board, said that Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers of Nalitabari upazila were flowing over the two boundary lines on Saturday morning as well. Bhogai in Nalitabari, Chellakhali and Maharshi in Jhenaigati at several places, two banks and embankments have broken due to landslides. Efforts are being made to stop the erosion on an urgent basis.