Staff Correspondent

Eighteen people died and over 49 lakh people have been affected as the ongoing flood hit 77 upazilas in 11 districts of the country.

Among the deaths, four were in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one in Brahmanbaria, one in Lakshmipur and three were in Cox's Bazar districts, according to latest updates on the ongoing floodissued by the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.

Feni, Cumilla, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, Chattogram, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Sylhet, Lakshmipur and Cox's Bazar districts have been affected in the ongoing flood since August 20.

A total of 9,44,548 families have been stranded in the flood while 2,84,888 people and 21,695 cattle were given shelter to 3,527 shelter centers.

The flood hit 587 unions and municipalities under 77 upazilas of 11 districts.

Taka 3,52,00,000 (cash), 20,150 metric tons of rice and 15,000 packets of dry foods have been allocated for the 11 flood-hit districts. A total of 770 medical teams are working to provide treatment to the affected people in the flood-hit districts.

Army, navy, coast guard, Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB), fire service and civil defence and students' community in coordination with district administration are making rescue efforts in the flood-hit areas.

Field hospital has been prepared in Feni for providing treatment. Physicians from the army and district civil surgeon office are providing treatment. The Adviser for Disaster Management and Relief Ministry and Secretary of the ministry visited the flood-hit areas and the adviser is now staying in Feni.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry has opened a control room for providing information and support for the flood-hit areas. The control room's number is 0255101115.

Deputy Commissioners of flood affected districts have been given necessary directives to work together in coordination with coordinators of Anti- Discrimination Student Movement, Army, navy, medical teams and other volunteers.

The people, who are interested to stand by the flood victims, have been urged to send money to 'Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund'. Interested people have been requested to deposit or send money to the account named 'Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund'. Account No: 0107333004093, Bank Name: Sonali Bank Corporate Branch, Chief Adviser's Office.

A disaster management support coordination cell has been formed in the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs to help deal with the flood situation in Bangladesh.

The coordination cell will update the relevant authorities with the information to be received along with maintaining constant communication with all involved in disaster management and follow up at all times.

The cell's contact numbers are: 02-47118700, 02-47118701, 02-47118702, 02- 47118703, 02-47118704, 02-47118705, 01317749980 and 01820117744.