July 20, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 19, 1424

DHAKA, July 19: The flood situation here in Dhaka took a serious turn on Saturday as the Balu river at Demra point and the Sitalakhya at Narayanganj point flowed 96 and 90 centimetres respectively above the danger level.

Also, the river Turag flowed 15cm above the danger level while the Buriganga marked a 7cm rise, already bringing under water the vast tracts of land on the outskirts of the capital city.

According to the Dhaka-based newspapers, at least 73 people have so far died and more than five million people across the country have been affected by floods since early June.

ATTACK: Gunmen raided a valima reception inside a community centre in the capital’s Rokeya Sarani area in broad daylight on Saturday leaving a pregnant woman dead and at least 13 others injured in random firing.

Agency reports said the dead woman was the bride’s sister.

The valima was of Golam Mostafa Labu, an assistant organising secretary of the Dhaka city (North) Jubo League, the youth front of the opposition Awami League.