Three more bodies have been retrieved from several areas of flood-hit Sherpur district, raising the death toll from the natural disaster to eight.

The deceased were identified as Muktar Hossain, 50, of village Kurekanda under Urpa union, Abdur Razzak, 60, of Gazaria Kingkarpur village under Ganpaddi union and Ujjal Mia, 35, of village Jalalpur, all hailed from Nakla upazila of the district.

Though the flood situation in 15 unions under Nalitabari, Jhenaigati and Sreebardi upazilas was improved, situation in some 12 unions and a municipality of Nakla upazila worsened.

People who took refuge at shelter centres are returning to their homes where the flood waters drained out.

District Water Development’s executive engineer Md Nakibuzzaman Khan said water in Chellakhali and Bhogai rivers was flowing below danger level.

He said the rivers were flowing 77cm and 133cm below the danger level at Batkuci and Nalitabari Bazar points. Although there is no hydro measuring point, the Maharashi and Someshwari Rivers now have normal water flow.

The engineer forecast that the water level of the rivers will decrease further and the flood situation will improve in a day or two if there is no heavy rain.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Aman paddy on 46,790 hectares of land, vegetable on 1,200 hectares and ginger cultivated in five upazilas of Sherpur were submerged, causing losses to at least 1,72,630 farmers.

District primary education officer Md Obaidullah said 242 government primary schools in the district have been closed due to flooding.

Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, police, Red Crescent Youth Volunteers and non-government volunteers are carrying out rescue operations in the flood-hit areas of the district.

The district administration is distributing relief materials, dry food and water among the flood victims.

Sherpur deputy commissioner Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman said relief distribution will continue. Work is underway to prepare a list of the affected people, he said, adding that all kinds of assistance will be provided to the flood victims.

Assistance for rehabilitation will also be provided to the victims after the water recedes completely and the higher authorities were informed, he added.

Alongside the government, several political parties have come forward to stand by the flood-hit people with dry foods and other materials.