20 lakh people affected by flood in 15 districts

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman on Saturday said nearly 20 lakh people in 15 districts have been affected by flood triggered by heavy rainfall and onrush of water this year.

"We have distributed adequate amount of relief material including rice, dry food and cash incentives among flood-hit people in 15 districts of the country," he told a meeting at his ministry," Jahid Hossain Khan, public relations officer of the ministry told BSS.

According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the flood-hit districts are Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Rangpur, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Feni, Rangamati, Bogura, Kurigram, Sirajganj, Lalmonirhat and Cox's Bazar.

The state minister said the government had allocated a total of 8,700 tonnes of rice, Tk 3.10 crore in cash, 58,500 sacks of dry food, Tk 60 lakh for baby food and Tk 60 lakh for fodder for flood-hit districts.

Flood-affected people took refuge in 36,223 shelters, he added.

No casualty was reported during the three spells of a flood, Mohibur said adding 20 lakh people were badly affected by the flood in the north and northern districts.

"There is a possibility of another spell of flood in the month of August or September, the minister said, "We are taking preparation as per the directives of the Prime Minister."

All necessary items were given to the local lawmakers, deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) as per their demand and there is no reason for lack of relief, he added.