Rivers continue to swell, inundate more areas:Worsening floods drive victims into safer places

The flood situation is continuing to deteriorate in northern and central parts of the country compelling thousands of people to take refuge in places like educational institutions and high roads.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said low-lying areas in 14 northern and central districts of the country could be inundated further in the next 48-72 hours as water levels of all rivers are increasing.
Of the 73 places where river water level is monitored, 39 marked a rise while 29 marked a fall. The others remained unchanged.
Crops especially vegetables and transplanted Aman have been damaged in many areas due to flooding. Significant damage to Aman seedlings has also been noticed. Fish from hundreds of ponds have been washed away, reports our correspondents. Almost all flood-affected people are facing drinking water and sanitation issues.
Our Kurigram correspondent reports: At least 108 primary schools have been temporarily closed as flood-affected people took shelter there. About 371 villages and chars in nine upazilas of the district have been inundated. Around 6,500 families have been affected in the last three days alone.
According to sources in the district agriculture department, transplanted Aman and vegetables on around one third of croplands in those areas have been damaged.
Our Lalmonirhat correspondent, citing officials concerned, reports: Low-lying areas in Patgram, Hatibandha, Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar upazilas submerged due to heavy rain coupled with onrush of water from upstream.
A few thousand char dwellers of 35 chars have taken shelter on higher grounds and in schools and colleges as their homes have been washed away by the surging floodwater.
Our Sirajganj correspondent, citing Sirajganj District Flood Control room and Water Development Board sources, reports: About 1 lakh people in Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chowhali upazilas are flood affected. They have taken shelter at different embankments and educational institutions.
Fish in around 400 ponds in Chalonbeel area were washed away causing a loss of about Tk 60 lakh, official sources said.
Our Gaibandha correspondent reports: Nearly 15 unions have been flood affected while Katlamari-Uria flood control embankment has become weak.
Our correspondent in Sylhet reports: Erosion at the dyke of the Surma in Kanaighat upazila has taken a serious turn. Erosion on the Kushiyara in Zakiganj and Beanibazar upazilas has already caused significant damage.
Our Faridpur correspondent reports: Around 15,000 people in Bhajandanga, Sadipur, Gadadhardangi, Bilgajaria of Aliabad union became marooned by the swelling Padma.
Charvadrasan union is also flood affected. Faridpur-Charvadrasan road link has snapped as it went under knee-deep water at several places. A bridge at Mandertolakhal of Sadipur also went under water.
Our Tangail correspondent reports: Over 30,000 people in 40 villages under Bhuapur, Kalihati, Nagarpur, Delduar and Sadar upazilas have been marooned due to the swelling Jamuna and the Dhaleswari.
Several cracks appeared on the 47km Bhuapur-Tarakandi Flood Control Embankment.
Our Netrakona correspondent reports: The overall flood situation of the district was improving yesterday.