More and more districts in the northern region of the country are being hit by floods. Large numbers of people are suffering. With their houses under water, people have to take shelter on the embankments, spending days and nights under the open sky. With roads also under water, communication has also been broken down. Hectare after hectare of agricultural land is also flooded, indicating tough economic times ahead for the affected families. Two hundred and fifty schools have been closed down because of the floods.

Government efforts to address the problems have been insufficient. Rice and money have been given as relief. The amount of this is not enough. For example, in 12 villages of Bhandabari union in Bogra district, only 15 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 25,000 taka has been allocated for about 3000 families.

Diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases are spreading in certain flood-affected areas. The numbers are not alarming as yet, but those who are affected, need proper medical care. And advance steps need to be taken to prevent diarrhoea becoming an epidemic. The local administration should have an adequate stock of drinking water and oral saline.

If the rivers up north continue to swell, the flood situation will worsen and the flood-affected will suffer all the more. The government’s relief efforts must be stepped up. The sufferings of the flood-hit people must be kept at a minimum. Plans must also be made for their financial rehabilitation after the floods.