By NNN-BSS
Sirajanj, Bangladesh : Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed today called for taking comprehensive approach by all concerned to tackle the on going flood situation.
He made the call while visiting the district’s flood affected areas on the bank of the mighty river Jamuna.
Earlier, the Chief Adviser flew to Tangail by a helicopter and reached Sirajganj by road to see for himself the flood situation there.
He was accompanied, among others, by Food and Disaster Management adviser Tapan Chowdhury, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt. General Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Chief Adviser’s Press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim.
Bogra Area Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Shamim Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner of Sirajganj Ibrahim Khalil and other high officials received the Chief Adviser at Sirajganj.
The army personnel gave a short presentation on the latest flood situation in the district as well as the relief operation.
Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed visited the flood shelter at the Russel Square area on the bank of the river Jamuna. At least 63 tents have been erected here by army where 520 families took temporary shelters.
The Chief Adviser went round the tents and talked to he flood hit people to know about their condition.
Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed distributed relief materials among the flood-hit people at the Chatiantali Morgram High School flood shelter center. It included 5 kg rice, 400gm powder milk, 500gm dal, 250 gm oil and one kg salt to each person.
After visiting the flood hit areas and relief distribution, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed told journalists that the government is very much beside the people in the flood affected areas across the country.
The Chief Adviser said the local district administration and the army is working closely to rescue the flood hit people and provide them shelter and relief. The government has adequate preparation to face the flood and post flood situation, he reiterated.
He expressed satisfaction over the ongoing rescue and relief operation among the distressed people, especially at the remote char areas and people are rescued from their, if necessary.
Replying to a question, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed said the meeting of the council of advisers today will review the overall flood situation in the country and discuss the necessity of taking help from abroad.
Foreign countries are helping Bangladesh through various projects, he said and added any humanitarian help from individuals inside the country for flood victims will also be welcomed.
Referring to the success of coordinated rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the Chittagong landslide incident, Dr.Fakhruddin Ahmed said such comprehensive efforts will also help in tackling the flood situation.
Sirajganj DC said the local administration and the NGOs are engaged in various relief operations in the remote char areas of the district and the individuals are also helping the flood hit people.
The district administration sources said so far 115 metric tons of rice, cash Taka 15.5 lakhs, 132 tins biscuits and dry foods of Taka four lakhs have been distributed among the flood hit people.
The sources said about 8 lakh people in the district have been marooned in the district. Out of 82 unions 76 have been affected by flood.
So far 355 flood shelter centers have been opened and 100 medical teams are operating.
All the nine areas the districts have been affected by the recent floods that included Sirajganj sadar, Ullapara, Belkuchi, Qamarkhand,Shahajadpur,Raiganj,Kazipur,Tarash and Chouhali, the sources added.