Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) - District administration stood by the flood-affected people to mitigate their sufferings to some extent.

Around 12 noon today, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Shahidul Islam distributed dry food among the waterlogged people in the Dogar Ghat area of Harian Union in Paba Upazila. 

Along with distributing relief, he spoke to the waterlogged people and also arranged lunch for them.

After being waterlogged for almost a week, hundreds of people from Char Khidirpur Middle Char have left their homes by boat and taken shelter at Dogar Ghat on the Padma to save their lives and livestock.

DC Kazi Shahidul Islam said about 200 families have been affected as water rose in Char Khidirpur and Middle Char. Relief is being distributed among these families. The relief materials include about 25 types of products. 

Regular health check-ups and necessary medicines are being provided in these camps. Special importance is being given to healthcare to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

Informing that a temporary shelter has been arranged in one place for the affected people, the Deputy Commissioner said, there is also an arrangement for keeping livestock there. 

However, a long-term solution has been planned for the people of Char Khidirpur. A proposal has been sent to the government for this. 

According to the plan, two large shelters about 10 feet high will be built. There, along with people, there will be space for several thousand livestock.

According to local residents, due to several days of heavy rain, about more than three hundred families and about 10,000 livestock of Padma's Khidirpur Middle Char have become waterlogged. 

As houses, courtyards and roads have been submerged, most families have come to the Dogar Ghat area by boat with their livestock and essential belongings.

Farmer Jamu Ali of Char Khidirpur said, for eight days about 300 families and thousands of livestock of Char Khidirpur Middle Char have been waterlogged. 

To save their lives, most people have come to this side of the Padma with their cattle.

Monowara Begum, a resident of Char Khidirpur, said, 'We have been suffering a lot due to water for the last seven days. We are very happy to receive the relief.' 

Farmer Bazlur Rashid said, “We have been waterlogged for a week. Getting relief in this disaster is a great help for us. We will remember the DC sir's sincerity and love during this disaster for a long time.” 

Farmer Rezaul Karim's house is also in Char Khidirpur Middle Char. His house has been submerged in water for a week. Fear of snakes and bites of red ants have made his nights sleepless. In the end, he took shelter at Dogar Ghat by boat with his wife, son and cattle. 

Farmer Rezaul  Karim said, 'I could no longer stay in the water. So I came to Dogar Ghat by boat with my wife, son and cattle. I will stay here until the water recedes.'
Paba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ibnul Abedin said food assistance is being distributed in various unions of the upazila and in the remote char areas of the Padma. 

At the same time, the upazila administration is also taking a tough stance against illegal encroachers to resolve waterlogging. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mohammad Mehedi Hasan was present at that time.