Devastation, disease: Relief, medicine scarce

A long wait for relief...flood affected people queue for doles on the bank of Brahmaputra at Dhutichora. PHOTO: STAR

They need cooked food and drinking water as most of them have no firewood and cooking utensils, many told this correspondent during a visit on Monday.

"We are passing the daytime any how but sun set brings nightmare as we have no candle or lantern", said Nazly of Ghar Rahamtpur in Fulohari upazila, now on the Brahmaputra Flood Control Embankment.

"Where will we go? I looked on as the Brahmputra washed away my dwelling", said Hafizur of Daltipara village in Gaibandha Sadar upazila.

Asiya and Khodeja of Chrakuthi village in the Sadar upazila said they are on the embankment for over 15 days and can not remember when they took their last rice meals.

According to sources at Gaibandha Civil Surgeon's office, 106 medical teams have been formed to check diarrhoeal diseases in the flood affected areas.

The District Livestock Department has formed seven medical teams to look after cattle heads.

Administration sources said the government has sanctioned Tk 8,50,000, 850 tonnes of rice, 250 cartoons of biscuit, 300 pieces of saree and Tk 2,00,000 as house building grant.

Khorshed Alam, Chairman of Chandipur union in Sunderganj upazila has been barred from relief operation for alleged irregularities in distribution of government relief, official sources said.