Red alert sounded in Teesta barrage zone; Bangladesh Water Development Board

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has issued a red alert at the Teesta Barrage Point area under Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district as the river was flowing more than 53 cm above the danger level. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of the BWDB, heavy rains might continue in northern Bangladesh and the adjoining northeastern Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and West Bengal in the next 72 hours.

Already 10 districts of the Bangladesh have been flooded. In the next 24 to 72 hours, at least three more districts may be affected.

There will be no irregularities in the distribution, the real victims will be listed and relief will be given, Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation of Relief and Rehabilitation, Md. Enamur Rahman MP told IANS on Monday evening.

If the rains continue, the lower reaches of Dhaka and Narayanganj could be inundated by the end of next week, according to experts.

Meanwhile, 7 millions of people have been stranded in the flood-hit districts. Rural roads and crops have been submerged.

Eight-montheold Alifa was sleeping with her mother on Monday morning and suddenly the baby fell in floodwater while the mother was asleep. Later, waking from her sleep, the mother found the baby floating in the floodwater that entered their house from Teesta river, confirmed Atiar Rahman, chairman of Gaddimari Union Parishad in the upazila.

Many people do not want to go to shelters out of fear of being affected by COVID-19, though their homes have been flooded.(IANS)

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