Flood wreaks havoc on life and property; claims 54 lives

Dhaka, Aug 2 (UNI) Terrible floods in Bangladesh continued to wreak havoc on life and property, as 54 people were killed so far and nearly 57,00,000 people in 34 districts affected by the floodwaters.

The current flooding appears to have taken a critical turn with major rivers flowing above their red marks. Flood Forecasting and Warning Center today said the Ganges-Padma River continued rising at all points and was flowing 144 cm above the danger level. The river is likely to swell further in the next 24 hours.

A bulletin of the Center said the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River continued rising in northern Serajgan and is flowing 120-cm above the danger mark. The situation in northern districts of Jamalpur, Serajganj, Pabna and Tangail was still deteriorating.

The prevailing flood situation in Manikganj, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Dhaka districts in the central part of the country is likely to aggravate further, the bulletin said.

Food and Disaster Management Advisor Tapan Chowdhury told reporters here today that standing crops on 1, 70,496 acres of land were completely damaged by the floodwaters.

He said cash money, rice and dry foodstuffs were distributed among the flood-hit people. ''We've adequate relief goods for distribution," he said. However, the Advisor said the government has no plan at this point to seek international assistance as "we are trying to face the situation with our own strength and resources." Local Government Advisor Anwarul Iqbal said de-watering pumps have been set up to drain logged waters in Dhaka City. He said the water supply in the capital city would remain interrupted even during the worst situation.

The troops with the help of local administration remain engaged in rescuing tens of thousands of marooned people from inaccessible areas. Relief and rehabilitation centers were made. Schools and colleges remain closed in the affected areas.

UNI