Fresh floods trigger waterborne diseases in Sylhet

Persistent downpour for past several days and hilly flash floods inundated fresh areas in Balaganj upazila of the district while the flood situation of other five upazilas remained unchanged spreading waterborne diseases.

The number of water-locked people in the Jakiganj, Beanibazar, Golapganj, Fenchuganj, Osmaninagar and Balaganj upazilas of the district exceeded 2.5 lakhs.

Health officer of Balaganj Upazila Health Complex Anisul Rahman said the hospital premises are flooded and cut-off from the community causing acute suffering for patients already admitted as well as those looking to visit.

They have formed a medical team to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases in the area but they are running low on medicine to cover the whole area, Anisul further said.

Thousands of people were suffering from scarcity of safe drinking water and food.

Around 10 to 15 more educational institutes freshly went under water during last 12 hours, witnesses said.

Rahat Anwar, deputy commissioner of the district, on Sunday said that the authorities concerned have shut 174 educational institutions as those were submerged by floodwater.

All sorts of buildings and structures have gone under water in the ongoing flood, as the Kushiara River has been flowing 21 centimetres above its danger level.

Besides, academic activities in some 137 educational institutions of Barlekha upazila in Moulvibazar district and Golapganj upazila of Sylhet district are being seriously hampered due to the flood.

Source: unb