Flood water is receding slowly as around 5,50,000 people still remained stranded in five upazilas in the district while over 25,000 people are still staying in shelter centers.

Flood water decreased fast in Ramgati and Raipur upazilas but the trend is slow in other upazilas as water level receded only 1-2 feet till now there.

Water Development Board Executive Engineer Nahid-Uz-Zaman Khan told BSS that flood water from upstream Noakhali district is flowing to Meghna river through Bhulua, Dakatia and Rahmat Khali rivers and Mahendra canal of Lakshmipur.

Though water drainage gates remained open and Meghna river is flowing quite below the danger mark, flood water is receding slowly due to construction of illegal dams and deposits of sludge in river mouth, creating barrier to rolling down water from upstream.

Illegal occupants have already been evicted from different areas and dams have been removed, said the executive engineer.

Civil surgeon Dr Ahmed Kabir said number of cases of waterborne diseases including diarrhea and skin diseases is increasing at hospitals.

In the last 13 days, 1318 cases of diarrhea, skin diseases and snake biting have been reported in five upazilas in the district.

Of them, 787 people mostly children have been affected from diarrhea, he said adding 64 medical teams are working relentlessly to ensure health services in the flood-hit areas.

Additional Deputy Commissioner JP Dewan said relief distribution activities are continuing in the affected areas. Rice, dry food, cooked meal, baby food and fodder are being distributed in the flood-affected areas, he said. BSS