The floodwater has begun to recede in Moulvibazar, but people's suffering has not eased. Continuous rain has left mud in homes and on roads, and with no dry place many families still cannot light their stoves. Though no longer marooned, residents of the flood-hit areas are struggling to return to normal life.

A visit to flood-hit areas on Monday, 13 July, found that the water had gone down but most people had not been able to light their stoves. Mud lies on the roads and inside houses. There is a shortage of fuel and of clean drinking water, and people are managing with difficulty, cooking at neighbours' houses or elsewhere.

Abdur Rahim, Moni Begum and Rubel Mia from the flood-hit areas of Kamalganj and Rajnagar upazilas said the water had gone down but they had not been able to light their stoves. They are getting through the days with great difficulty and have received no government help, they said. The children are suffering, and getting clean drinking water is a problem.

Earlier, on Wednesday and Thursday, several days of continuous heavy rain and runoff from upstream breached the Manu and Dhalai rivers and caused flooding. Rajnagar, Kamalganj, Kulaura and Sadar upazilas of the district were inundated. Roads and houses went under water, leaving many families short of food and clean water. Now that the flood has eased, fresh hardships have emerged in these areas.

Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner Towhiduzzaman Pavel said the flood situation in the district had improved. Food, rice and cash have already been allocated for flood victims, and medical teams have been formed for treatment, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.