DACCA: Erosion in some principal rivers of the province, which are now in spate, has posed a serious threat to life and property in Kushtia, Manikganj, Fatikchari and Faridpur, reports reaching here today [July 22] said.

The river Gorai which started eroding its banks sometime back was fast moving towards Kumartuli town in the district of Kushtia.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia told [agencies] that the Government had sanctioned Rs 50,000 for immediate rehabilitation of the families affected by erosion. He said a Rs 1,90,000 scheme had been prepared to protect Kumartuli town from the fury of Gorai.

Reports from Manikganj said that the river Jamuna had eroded some more houses in Daulatpur police station. Many people have been rendered homeless.

The overall flood situation of the province further worsened today with a steady rise in the water level of the river Ganges. Two rivers, Kushira at Hinchuganj and Halda at Fatikchari were flowing above danger mark.

Vast low-lying areas in the districts of Faridpur, Sylhet, Chittagong, Dacca and Noakhali have gone under water causing serious damage to the standing crop. No loss of life was reported.

The flood situation in Serajganj in Pabna district deteriorated following heavy pressure by flood waters causing breach in the newly erected embankment near the town, according to reports reaching here tonight.

[Meanwhile, as reported by our correspondent in London,] the satisfaction in British official and political circles over the return of the Arab-Israeli dispute by the divided UN General Assembly to the Security Council is tinged with the misgiving that this might put Britain on the spot in Arab eyes over the terms of Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab lands [July 22].

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2017