Floods to worsen as water levels in major rivers rising: State Minister

The flood situation is going to worsen again as the water levels in major rivers, including the Padma, Jamuna and Brahmaputra in Bangladesh, and Ganges in India, are rising, and will continue rising for the next 72 hours.

In the next 24 hours, the water level at Aricha point in the Jamuna River will cross the danger level.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said this at a virtual press briefing on Tuesday at the secretariat, citing a prediction of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under the Bangladesh Water Development Board.

Seventeen districts have already been inundated where more than 14.5 lakh people have been affected, the junior minister said, adding that the floods might spread to 23 districts and last till August.

Relief, including dry food, cash aid and house-making material, is being provided to the flood affected as per their demand, Enamur continued.

"Now, we plan to provide cooked food to those people," he added.

"To gear up the cooking process, I have sought the assistance of local Awami League leaders, and at 3pm today [Tuesday], the party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader will also hold a meeting with them."

The disaster management ministry is monitoring the flood situation round-the-clock through setting up several monitoring cells, he also said.

However, the water levels in the Teesta and the Dharla rivers are decreasing. And in 24 hours, the flood situation will improve at some parts in several districts adjacent to those rivers.