Zakir Azad, Cumilla

Seven lakh people are without water in Cumilla The flood situation in Cumilla is getting worse. As the time increases, the number of people affected by flood is also increasing. According to the information of the district relief officer, more than 7 lakh people have been stranded in 14 upazilas of the district. Although the number has exceeded 10 lakh as a private sector. Due to the collapse of Gomti in Burichong recently, the sufferings of the flood affected people have increased manifold.

The houses of hundreds of people have been destroyed by the strong flow of water entering the locality. Half a million people have taken shelter under the open sky. The water of Gomti River is still flowing over Bipatseema. Besides, 5/6 lakh people of some upazilas including Chauddagram, Nangalkot, Laksam Manoharganj of the flood affected district are living in misery. It is known that the last few days of continuous rain and the downpour from India started the Cumilla flood.

In the meantime, 14 out of the 17 upazilas of the district including Chauddagram, Nangalkot, Laksam, Manoharganj, Sadar Dakshin, Barura, Burichong, Brahmanpara were affected by floods. Everywhere there was wailing among the flood victims. In many areas, the shelters became watertight, adding to the suffering of the flood victims.

Last Saturday around 11:30 pm, the sky fell on the people of Gomti River when the dam broke in Burburia area of Burichong upazila. The water in the Gomti river in Cumilla started rising from last Tuesday due to heavy rains and heavy downpours coming down from India. Cracks appeared in at least 20 places in the dam. People started making various efforts to protect the dam of the river to prevent it from collapsing. Increasing people's anxiety, the water of Gomti started flowing over the border. After that, around 11:30 pm, the news came - the embankment of Gomti river has broken through Burburia area. Due to the breaking of this dam, large areas of Burichong and Brahmanpara upazilas were submerged in flood water. At least 40 villages were reported to be inundated as a result of the Gomti breach till 8:30 pm on Friday.

Water is entering the locality with a strong current through the broken dam. As a result, other villages of the two upazilas are also feared to be flooded. According to Burichong Upazila Executive Officer's office, 60 thousand families of 7 unions of the upazila have been affected by flood. The number of affected people is 1 lakh 70 thousand. People have taken shelter in 35 shelters. At least 500 families of Bhangan Koblit village have taken shelter on the banks of Gomti river adjacent to their houses. Hundreds of cows and goats have been tied up at different places nearby.

A family is living near him with some kind of tent. These people have taken refuge in an area of about three kilometers from Burburia to Bhanti on the banks of the river. Fear of the unknown prevails in the eyes of destitute people who have lost their means of support. They suddenly fell into disorientation. This picture is not only of Burburia area of Burichong upazila, but the people of 40 villages of this upazila are affected by the natural disaster. Besides, there is a danger of flooding in the neighboring Brahmanpara upazila. Regarding the overall situation of the flood, contact District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer. Abed Ali said that out of 17 upazilas of Cumilla , 14 upazilas have been affected by floods. More than 7 lakh people of 118 unions have been deprived of water.

We are distributing relief and food items to the flood victims. Demands have been forwarded to the Ministry to continue the assistance. Dr. Civil Surgeon of Cumilla Nasima Akhter said that our 227 medical teams are working in flood affected areas. They are performing their duties in coordination with the upazila administration. Cumilla Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Pankaj Bara said that all educational institutions in the affected areas have been declared as shelters. Dry food saline medicine is stocked for flood victims. Relief distribution continues.