Normalcy started returning in flood- affected areas as many displaced people are returning homes following further improvement in the flood situation in the Brahmaputra basin in the last 24 hours ending at 9 am on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said water levels of major rivers marked further falls to flow below the danger level (DL) at all points as the rate of onrushing waters continues reducing from the upstream.

The improving trend in the flood situation may continue with further recession in water levels of major rivers during the next 72 hours amid reports of less monsoon rains in the upstream during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, sporadic incidents of riverbank erosion are being reported from different points alongside major rivers due to stronger river current with recession of floodwater in the basin.

Water levels of the Brahmaputra marked further falls by 13cm at Noonkhawa, 21cm at Hatia and 18cm at Chilmari while Dharla marked fall by 29cm at Kurigram and Ghagot by 20cm at Gaibandha points during the last 24 hours.

Water levels of the Jamuna marked further falls by 24cm at Fulchhari, 17cm at Shaghata, 20cm at Bahadurabad, 21cm at Sariakandi, 20cm at Kazipur and 19cm at Sirajganj points during the period.

The Brahmaputra was flowing below the DL by 111cm at Noonkhawa, 103cm at Haita and 51cm at Chilmari while Dharla by 62cm at Kurigram and Ghagot by 73cm below the DL at Gaibandha points at 9 am today.

The Jamuna was flowing below the DL by 63cm at Fulchhari, 74cm at Shaghata, 56cm at Bahadurabad, 26cm at Sariakandi, 9cm at Kazipur and 11cm at Sirajganj points at 9 am today.

However, water levels of the Teesta marked rises by 10cm at Dalia while remained steady at Kawnia points in Nilphamari and were flowing below the DL by 10cm and 52cm at these points respectively at 9 am today.

Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh today told journalists that sporadic incidents of riverbank erosion have been reported alongside major rivers from flood-affected areas in the zone where protection works are continuing at several places.

Talking to journalists, Executive Engineer of BWDB for its Kurigram Division Ariful Islam said riverbank protection works are continuing at few vulnerable riverside points in the district.

Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md Zakir Hossain said relief activities have been intensified as the displaced people are returning homes with continuous improvement of the flood situation in all deluge-
affected areas of Rangpur division.

Talking to journalists, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) of Gaibandha Idris Ali said distribution of 80 tonnes of rice and Taka eight lakh continues among flood-hit people across the district.

DRRO of Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said distribution of Taka 3.50 lakh and 20 tonnes of rice is nearing completion among flood-affected people in the district.

Kurigram DRRO Abdul Hye Sarker said distribution of 280 tonnes of rice and Taka 12 lakh continues in full swing among flood-affected families of all nine upazilas across the district.