Bangladesh Government calls for national drive against floods

The chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh, Dr.Fakhruddin Ahmed, has issued an impassioned appeal to citizens to come to the aid of flood victims in the country.

Dhaka, Aug.6 :The chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh, Dr.Fakhruddin Ahmed, has issued an impassioned appeal to citizens to come to the aid of flood victims in the country.

Addressing the nation on Sunday night, Dr. Ahmed said a spontaneous effort was required to neutralise the effects of the calamity, failing which , the future development of Bangladesh would remain incomplete and unaccomplished.

"Any natural disaster like floods creates a scope to forge national unity, and now, we have got such an opportunity. I am making an appeal to people from all walks of life, irrespective of class and profession, to come forward spontaneously to the aid of the flood-affected people, and for undertaking relief and rehabilitation works," he said.

His message came as another 67 people were reported to have drowned in flood waters, and 26 of snake bites. According to the latest information released by the control room of the Directorate General of Health Services, the overall death toll is 120, while 2,831 have been injured by floods during the last week.

Medical experts also said that waterborne diseases were spreading, and could affect tens of thousands of people stranded in the low-lying areas of the country. Sources said that at least 31 districts as 'seriously affected' by waterborne diseases. At least 1,182 people are suffering from respiratory diseases, 1,059 from skin diseases, 339 from eye diseases and 2,831 from other diseases caused by contaminated water.

Dr. Ahmed said that people interested in taking part in relief activities, should deposit their relief materials and cash assistance with the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund at the Centre, and with district relief committees in the interiors.

Commenting on the price hike of essential commodities during the floods, he appealed to the business community to display their social responsibilities by keeping the prices at a tolerable level.

Reiterating his government's absolute accountability to the people, Dr. Ahmed informed that so far 75 flood control embankments had been breached, 234 sub-districts and 1,660 unions under 38 districts had been inundated.

He also informed that about 600,000 houses had been damaged partially and 90,000 totally. Besides, standing crops of about six lakh acres of land had been totally damaged, he added.

Dr. Ahmed said that the National Disaster Management Council and the inter-ministerial committee have been activated to supervise the relief activity in a more centralised manner. He said the responsibility for overall supervision of the relief operations had been distributed among the members of the advisory council on Sunday.

The government, he said, has opened 1,175 flood shelter centers, and provided them with relief materials, including food, drinkable water, clothes and cash. CI sheets and grants for house construction are also being distributed among the flood-hit people, he added.

Security is also being given high priority, while an agricultural rehabilitation programme would be started soon, he said.

Floodwaters have entered more areas in Dhaka's east, including Basabo, Mugda, Nandipara, Trimohani, Rayerbagh, Manda, Maniknagar, Kusumbagh, Satarkul, Debpara and Gulpara.

All the rivers around the capital, except for the Buriganga, are flowing above danger mark, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said.

The Turag is expected to cross the 40 cm above danger level mark at Mirpur, while the Balu is expected to touch the 45 cm above danger level at Demra. The Tongi Canal at Tongi may flow at 54cm above danger level today. The Padma continued to flow well above danger level on Sunday, and is likely to swell further as the water recedes upstream.

River waters, however, receded in northern Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Bogra and Jamalpur areas.

ANI