Although the water level of the Padma River has started receding in Daulatpur upazila, the sufferings of flood-hit people have increased, with a severe shortage of safe drinking water and reports of waterborne diseases.

A vast tract of low-lying areas of the upazila have been inundated by the floodwater, damaging crops on more than 1,000 hectares of land.

Around 50,000 people in Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions are still marooned and living in difficult conditions.

According to the Kushtia Water Development Board (WDB), the Padma's water level has fallen by around 15 centimetres over the past three days.

Although the situation has improved slightly, the hardships of people in the affected areas have not eased. Rather, their sufferings have intensified as the floodwater recedes.

Abdul Majid, an elderly resident of Ramkrishnapur, said people are struggling to travel long distances to collect drinking water as nearby villages remain inundated.

“We need dry food, drinking water and medical treatment immediately,” he said.

Rahima Khatun, a homemaker from Udaynagar village in ChilmarI Union, said cases of diarrhoea, dysentery and skin diseases were increasing as the floodwater receded.

“We are extremely worried about our children. We cannot even find safe drinking water,” she said, urging the authorities to set up health camps and provide food assistance in the flood-hit areas.

The recent flooding inundated extensive low-lying areas along the Padma, damaging more than 1,000 hectares of crops. Around 50,000 people in Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions remain stranded.

Local residents alleged that medical services and government relief have yet to reach many areas, causing frustration among the flood victims.

Daulatpur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Touhidul Hasan Tuhin said the risk of waterborne diseases and insect-borne illnesses increases as floodwaters recede.

“Alongside local health workers, two mobile medical teams are working in the char areas to prevent and treat diseases,” he said.

He said adequate stocks of antivenom have been kept considering the risk of snakebites.

Distribution of water purification tablets, oral saline and essential medicines has also been intensified, he added.

Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Anindya Guha said the flood situation had improved somewhat as the Padma's water level began falling, but the administration remained on high alert to address the ensuing health risks and sufferings.

“Relief assistance is being delivered to affected people in Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions and other remote char areas,” he said.

Officials and employees of the public health and water resources departments are also working alongside medical teams to ensure sanitation, safe drinking water and cattle feed supplies, the UNO added.