Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Dinajpur and Kurigram on 20 August to take a stock of flood-affected areas in the districts. The prime minister will also distribute relief among the people of the affected areas.

Dinajpur-2 constituency lawmaker and Awami League’s organising secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury confirmed prime minister’s visit to NTV Online on Thursday morning.

Dinajpur and Kurigram are among the mostly affected districts by flood. A number of 13 people were killed due to flood at Birol, Kaharol, Sadar, Khanshama, and Birganj upazilas of the districts. Among them, three members of a family died.

The Dinajpur railway authorities said rail communications of Dinajpur-Thakurgaon-Panchagarh, and Dinajpur-Parbatipur have been snapped since 12 August as the railway track went under water. Rail link between Dinajpur and Dhaka were also halted as the Parbatipur rail route was disrupted by the flood water.

Water levels of the rivers in Dinajpur are also rising. Water of River Punarbhava and Atrai crossed the danger level.

In Kurigram around four people were killed due to flood. Water in Dharla, Dudhkumor and Brahmaputra rivers at different points in Kurigram continues to flow above the danger mark.

A total of 42,351 hectares of cropland has also been damaged in the floods.

Earlier, on Wednesday evening, Sheikh Hasina met President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban and discussed the country’s existing flood situation.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken all-out preparations to tackle the flood and its aftermath.

She also told the President that there are enough food gains in government stock to face any exigency.

The prime minister said instructions have already been given to local administrations and public representatives to take necessary measures to provide emergency assistance to the flood victims.