Shawdesh Desk:

The flood-affected people of the northern and north-eastern regions in the country have been suffering much due to acute crises of food, pure drinking water and fuel oil.

Many people have been sleeping on highways, highlands, embankments and other high places after their homes were damaged by deluge in mid-June.

The overall flood situations in 15 districts were improving as water levels of major rivers in the country declined further on Sunday.

As floodwater started to recede, many displaced people returned home. But they were living in a miserable condition amid shortages of food and pure drinking water.

Cattle farmers were also facing a fodder crisis as fields and croplands are still under floodwater.

The government has distributed relief among flood victims, but they are not adequate, many alleged.

Emergency relief materials are yet to reach most of the flood-affected places, they said.

Flood victims are going through a crisis of drinking water as many tube-wells are still under floodwater.

The flood affected people are now desperately looking for relief in many areas as they have no belongings and earning capacity right now.

They fear that diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases may break out in the flood-hit areas.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that the floods in Bangladesh have wreaked havoc as an estimated 7.2 million people have been affected and are in desperate need of shelter and emergency relief items in the north-eastern region of the country.

There is widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, water and sanitation facilities, croplands and fisheries.

Water levels at 57 river stations monitored by Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) marked a rise while 50 stations recorded a fall on Sunday.

Among the 109 monitored river stations, two have been registered steady while water levels at five stations are flowing above the danger level, says a bulletin issued by the FFWC.

“The Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are in rising trend. The Brahmaputra may remain steady, while the Jamuna may continue rising in the next 24 hours,” said Arifuzzaman Bhuyan executive engineer of FFWC.

All major rivers in the north-eastern region of the country are in falling trend, which may remain steady in the next 24 hours, he said.

“The Padma is in rising trend, which may continue rising in the next 48 hours. The flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may remain steady,” he added.

The flood situation in Netrokona may continue improving in the next 24 hours, he further said.