DHAKA, 16 October 2004 — A flash flood, caused by waters rolling down from across the border in India, has left at least 15 people killed in drowning, water-borne diseases and snake bites in two northwestern districts of Rajshahi and Naogaon and left over 50,000 people homeless.
Confirming this yesterday, district officials said the flood situation at Bagmara and Mohanpur sub-districts of Rajshahi and nine sub-districts of Naogaon remained critical during the last 24 hours.
According to sources, more than 1,000 flood affected families of the Rajshahi district have taken shelter at various educational institutions.
Subol Moni Bose, sub-district official of Bagmara sub-district said that no relief goods had been allocated for the flood-affected people.
The flood situation in Bagmra further deteriorated during the last 24 hours.
At least 800 families of the sub-district have been rendered homeless. It is learned that the flood situation at Sonadanga, Gobindapara and Kachari Koalipara unions is critical. The affected people have taken shelter at 10 educational institutions of the sub-district.
The flood situation at two unions of Raighati, Ghasigram and municipal area of Kesorhat under Mohanpur sub-district has also turned critical. Vast areas of the unions have been inundated by flood water.
Sources said, due to onrush of water from across the border, the Baranai River has been overflowing, inundating vast areas. The river protection dam at Tengra and Atrai has been washed away.
The floodwater has caused immense damage to crops, pan-baroj, vegetables fields and kutcha houses in Dhurail, Baksimoil, Mohanganj, Mougachi and Jahanabad unions. An acute shortage of food, drinking water and fodder has been prevailing in the affected villages.
