DACCA: At least 60 people have died so far and another 40 lakh have become homeless in the widespread floods that have engulfed East Pakistan now, official sources said. According to reports reaching here, nine major rivers are swelling above the danger limits and in the districts of Kushtia, the flood situation has been described as unprecedented.

Relief Department, meanwhile, said, of the total deaths, six in Faridpur and four in Rajshahi were drowning accidents tragedies while the rest 50 in Pabna district were due to diseases caused by stagnating water.

… IN Rajshahi, Pabna, Kushtia, Faridpur, Jessore and Comilla, standing crops in about 7,60,000 acres have been destroyed besides nearly 400 cattle heads washed away. … Five lakh people of 50,000 families were affected and 20,000 houses and standing crops in 80,000 acres were damaged. … ---Agencies

[Agencies add] Lt-Gen Tikka Khan, Governor, East Pakistan, and Martial Law Administrator, Zone B, during his tour of flood-affected areas today [Aug 25], said relief work would not be hampered for shortage of funds. …The Governor was on a visit to Pabna, Kushtia and Faridpur. … The Governor sanctioned an additional sum of seven lakh rupees for the relief of flood-affected people. Out of this amount, Pabna, Kushtia and Faridpur have been allocated Rs 2 lakhs each while the remaining sum of Rs 1 lakh has been earmarked for Rajshahi. …

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2021