7 die as flood water recedes in north, central zones

At least seven people died, four of them by drowning and three due to outbreak of diseases as the floods continued to recede in the northern and central zones of the country.
But there has been aggravation of flooding in the northeastern zone of the country. 
According to the National Health Crisis Management Centre, three villagers drowned in Jamalpur and one in Moulvibazar while diseases claimed three lives in Gaibandha.
At least 428 people fell sick as diseases broke out in the areas witnessing floods receding, according to the centre.
The national health crisis management fears that the number of people affected with post flood diseases would swell in the coming days.
On return to their villages flood affected people began a massive cleanup of homes and the surrounding areas to ward off post flood diseases.
The affected villagers said that they were looking forward to get help from the government in rebuilding their houses damaged by floods.
Villagers said that they were scared to return to their homes in the northern districts devoured by erosion. 
Our Sirajganj correspondent reported from the spot that at least 2,000 villagers were still passing their days under the open sky on the embankments in Bahuka union of the Sadar upazila.
These people decided not to leave the embankments until they were convinced that there would be no flooding again, said 60-year old Shah Alam. 
The flood forecasting and warning officials told New Age that the flood waters would continue to recede from the northern and central regions of the country as the fall in the Brahmaputra, the Jamuna and the Padma were likely to continue.
Our Munshiganj correspondent reported that the Padma devoured 110 houses in two upazilas in the district since Friday. 
Munshiganj deputy commissioner Shayla Farzana said that 75 tonnes of rice and Tk 1,50,000 had been sanctioned for distribution among the affected villagers.
Our Lalmonirhat correspondent reported that the flood waters continued to recede from the district. 
Typhoid, diarrhea and skin infections broke out in the district besides a host of other water borne diseases while people’s sufferings became acute due to absence of treatment facilities.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya during visit to the district said Monday that the government relief distribution would continue until the floods receded completely.

Our staff correspondent in Sylhet reported that the affected people complained about irregularities in distribution of relief materials.
Bianibazar upazila chairman Ataur Rahman told New Age that the relief was insufficient. 
Abdur Rahim of Kotalpur village in Fenchuganj said, “The union members included names of their family members and relatives in the list of flood affected people to misappropriate the relief materials.” 
The BSS reported that the Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, while visiting Kurigram, announced that the government would construct houses for flood affected people in flood-prone districts.
It also reported that the overall flood situation at chars and Brahmaputra river basins in four upazilas of the Gaibandha district and the Jamalpur district improved significantly and visibly as the river marked fall in 24 hours ending at 9 AM.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net