Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday handed over keys to new tin-roofed houses to families affected by the recent floods in Banshkhali and inaugurated the government’s rehabilitation programme for them.

He visited the flood-hit Baharchhara area of Banshkhali and handed over the keys to the new homes to affected families around 1:20pm, his Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony told UNB.

“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the government’s rehabilitation programme for people affected by the recent floods in Baharchhara village and handed over the keys to new homes,” he said.

Tarique Rahman also spoke to the affected people and enquired after their families and their situation. He also planted a mahogany sapling there, Rony said.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, among others, were present.

Later, the Prime Minister went to the Banshkhali High School and College ground to attend a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people.

Banshkhali and several other remote and low-lying areas of Chattogram were inundated from July 7 following heavy rain and hill runoff.

The flooding caused extensive damage to homes, ponds, water bodies and fish farms, affecting hundreds of people.

After completing his programmes in Banshkhali, Tarique Rahman left by helicopter for Fatikchhari.

In Fatikchhari, he is scheduled to visit Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasah and meet Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said.