Diarrhoea has broken out in the coastal areas of Khulna and Satkhira hit by Cyclone Aila recently as an acute scarcity of pure drinking water and food worsened sufferings of thousands.
At least two people died of diarrhea in Khulna coast yesterday, and over 100 were attacked with the disease in coastal areas of the two districts. The situation might turn alarming unless drinking water is supplied, reports quoting locals said.
Meanwhile, unofficial estimates said death toll from the cyclone rose to 175 yesterday.
According to official statistics, death toll was 147 while 6,708 were wounded and 10 people are still missing.
Our correspondent in Satkhira reports that thousands of marooned people in remote areas of Gabura, Padmapukur, Burigoalini, Munshiganj and adjoining unions are virtually starving as they do not have fuel to cook food.
Burigoalini UP Chairman Asim Kumar Joardar said local administration is distributing rice among the affected people, but they cannot cook for lack of fuel and there are no high lands nearby.
In Shyamnagar upazila, over 80 people including children attacked with diarrhea were admitted to local private clinics.
Satkhira Civil Surgeon Dr Md Ebadullah said 37 medical teams are working in the affected areas.
Local sources said death toll from Aila rose to 47 from 35 in Shyamnagar and Assassuni upazilas.
Our staff correspondent in Khulna reports: Diarrhoea broke out in Maheshwaripur, south Bedkashi and North Bedkashi unions in Khulna and the situation might worsen, said locals.
Relief materials and drinking water are being distributed but these are scanty to meet even one-fourth of the need, they said.
The cyclone death toll in Khulna district rose to 43 yesterday from 35 on Wednesday.
Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque visited different cyclone-hit areas in Assassuni upazila and distributed relief yesterday.
Our correspondent in Patuakhali reported that thousands of people in the coastal area are suffering for lack of food and drinking water.
SUNDARBANS
A large number of trees were uprooted, infrastructures damaged and seized logs of Sundari wood were swept away by tidal surges whipped up by Aila, reports our staff correspondent in Khulna.
“The damages are not bigger than that caused by Sidr in the past. Yet, the aftermath of Aila is grim as the mangrove forest has not yet fully recovered from the wounds caused by sidr,” said forest official Mihir Kumar.
“We do not rule out loss of wildlife in the Sundarbans due to Aila ,” said Mihir.
Meanwhile, Food Minister Abdur Razzaque at a press briefing at the ministry said the government has allocated Tk 30 crore more and 5,000 tonnes of rice for the cyclone affected.
Eleven navy ships and seven helicopters of the air force are distributing relief, he said.
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