‘Floods caused damage worth Tk6,000cr’
Another flood is expected in late September and a cyclone between October and November
The four phases of floods this year hit 40 districts of the country, and caused damage to households, roads and cropland worth around Tk6,000 crore.
However, flood forecasts say that the country may witness another flood in the upcoming months though the earlier shock has not been resolved completely.
The other predicted flood is expected in late September and a cyclone between October and November, said Dr Md Enamur Rahman, MP, the state minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.
The state minister was addressing a post-flood press conference on Tuesday at the ministry in the capital.
Md Enamur Rahman said. "Thirty-three districts across the country were affected by the floods. In the next phase, seven coastal districts have been flooded due to tidal water. A total of 40 districts have been affected causing a total loss or more than TK5972.76 crore."
The minister added, "Floods this year were long-lasting, but did not last as long as the floods of 1998. The floods of 1998 lasted for 69 days and submerged 50 percent of the areas. This time the flood lasted for 46 days and affected 30 percent areas. The amount of damage is also lower this time."
The worst flood affected areas were Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Tangail, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Munshiganj. Repairing of the damaged roads and embankments in the affected areas will begin soon, he said.
It was also stated at the press conference that people are being affected by various water borne diseases in the aftermath of the floods. Sending medical teams to affected areas is underway for the treatment of flood affected people, the state minister said.
"Embankments and roads will be repaired on a priority basis. Initiatives have been taken to provide cash assistance to affected people in line with providing tin sheets to build houses. Besides, fish farmers, who have been affected, will receive loans," he said.
The minister also said that JICA has provided a grant of Tk113 crore for the rehabilitation of flood victims.
"The government is undertaking various projects to reduce the risks of disasters. We are working to make Bangladesh a flood-tolerant state in the next 10 years," said Md Enamur Rahman.
