Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday urged the flood victims to face the natural calamity with fortitude as they did twice last year

'Tlie Army Is always with you in facing the disasters." he said this while he was addressing the flood-affected people at Kulkandi and Noarpara unions of Islampur upazila here.

He said the government has undertaken a plan to construct a 4.5 - k m embankment at Dewanganj hard point and urged the farmers to plant Aman after recession of floodwaters as seedbeds are being prepared under the supervision of Army.

Earlier, he distributed relief goods among the flood victims in Dewanganj upazila.

GOC of 10 Infantry division Major Gen AKM Mujahid. Brig Gen Abu Musa Sharfuddin, among others, accompanied the Army chief.

Another report from Faridpur adds: General Moeen visited some of the worst flood affected areas of Faridpur and lamalpur and distributed relief among the destitute.

Pointing to the conspicuous absence of the politicians and political parties in aid of the flood victims Gen Moeen said, “It is not known to us why the leaders of the political parties are not coming to the flood victims with extending hands of assistance. But the army and the caretaker government had been and would always stand on the side of the affected people to face up any calamitous situation."

He was talking to flood affected people at Mohanmiar Hat of Sadar upazila after distributing relief materials among them. “We arc also providing necessary assistance to the affected people along with the government,” said the general.

Accompanied by GOC of the 9th Division Major General

Ahsabuddin the army chief visited some of the affected areas in a speedboat.

He said the government, as in the last year, had taken precautionary measures to face the flood. That is why the government officials came sharp with aid where flood affected the people.

Gen Moeen advised the farmers to replant aman seedlings where the plants were perished by the flooding. For this government will provide help.

Recalling his visit last year he said Tk 10 crore was sanctioned for protection of the town from the flood. That is why waters could not enter the town this year.

The army chief distributed relief among more than 400 flood victims. Senior civil, police and army officials were present.

The river Padma was flowing 90cm above the danger level flooding at least 18 unions of Faridpur. About one lakh people have been marooned by the flood.