Flood affects 25,320 people directly in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Sept 9: At least 25,320 people were directly affected by the recent flood in different upazilas across the district, and around 46,851 hectares of croplands were damaged by the flood water, according to sources at the Relief and Rehabilitation Department (RRD) and the Agriculture Office in the district.
The Agriculture Office has also made a list of the flood-hit people at different upazilas and sent it to the Ministry of Agriculture, asking for assistance.
According to the RRD, at least 25,320 people of 35 villages under five unions in Paba, Bagha and Godagari upazilas have directly been affected by the flood. Of them, 6,030 people have been affected in Paba, 15,000 in Bagha, and 4,290 in Godagari upazila.
Meanwhile, cash Tk 1.52 lakh, 24.120 metric tons of rice, and 350 packets of dry food have been distributed among the people of Paba upazila; Tk 8.1 lakh, 40.750 MT rice, and 136 packets of dry food among the people of Bagha upazila; and Tk 1.88 lakh and 17.840 MT rice among the people of Godagari upazila here have been distributed.
Besides, additional 100 MT of rice and Tk 10 lakh are needed as further help in the upazilas, sources said.
While talking with The Daily Observer, RRD Officer Md Alauddin said, "We have sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture asking for more help. Besides, we have instructed upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) to assess the damage and the demand."
On the other hand, a report made by the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Rajshahi says that 46,851 ha of croplands have been damaged by the flood water in the three upazilas and of those around 1,020 ha are still under flood water.
Of the lands, 8,935 ha of Transplanted Aman (T-Aman), 575 ha of Aus, 70 ha of pea pulse, 520 ha of green chilli and 374 ha of vegetables at Paba upazila; 25,300 ha of T-Aman, 9,000 ha of Aus and 137 ha of vegetables at Godagari; and 1,040 ha of T-Aman, 50 ha of pea pulse, 70 ha of green chilli, 430 ha of vegetables and 350 ha of pointed gourd at Bagha upazila here have gone under water, said District Agriculture Office sources.  
Deputy Director (DD) of the DAE Deb Dulal said, "We have not got any help from the government yet. Meanwhile, we have sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture seeking help."