Flood situation worsens further in Brahmaputra, Ganges basins

Incessant rise of water in most of the rivers in the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins, triggered by heavy downpour and onrush of water from the upstream, further deteriorated the flood situation in Rajshahi and Rangpur regions, reports BSS.

Water level in the existing rivers rose at 11 points and receded at two points only in most of the districts of Rajshahi division aggravating the flood situation in the char (river bed) and other low-lying areas of Sirajgonj, Bogura, Natore, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi districts.

Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) recorded a rising trend of water levels at almost all points like Rajshahi, Hardinge Bridge, Talbaria and Goalunda in the past 24 hours ending 9:00am today, said Mukhlesur Rahman, superintending engineer of BWDB.

The water level of the Ganges river increased by 11 cm at Rajshahi point and six centimetres (CM) at Goalundo point this morning but the river was flowing 181 cm below the danger level at Rajshahi point while 111 cm above the danger mark at Goalundo point, he added.

Of the total 30 river points being monitored in the Ganges basin regularly, water levels increased at 15 stations, while decreased at 13 stations and remained stable at two points at 9:00am Saturday.

Besides, the water level of the Jamuna river flowing through Bogura and Sirajganj districts saw a rising trend this morning, worsening further the flood situation in the two districts.

Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), said the water level in the Jamuna river increased by six cm at Sariakandi point in Bogura district flowing 117 cm above the danger mark while the river is flowing 94 cm and 83 cm above the danger level with 6 cm and 5 cm further rise at Kazipur and Sirajgonj points respectively this morning.

He also said the water level in the Gur river increased by seven cm at Shingra point in Natore district and the river was flowing 90 cm above the danger mark.

The river was flowing 102 cm above the danger level at Baghabari point in Sirajganj district with six cm further rise this morning.

Water level in the Atrai river also increased by 12 cm at Atrai point in Naogaon district and the river was flowing 27 cm above the danger mark.

Of the 13 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra basins, monitored in almost all eight districts under Rajshahi division, water levels increased at 11 stations, while decreased at two stations.

Flood situation in many areas has worsened because of inundation of new more areas and the damage of flood control embankments at different areas in the division.

On Friday, more than one hundred dwelling houses were devoured by river erosion caused due to rising flood water in the Jamuna river at Shimla and Pachkuthari areas in Sadar upazila of Sirajganj district.

Standing crops on around 4,195 hectares of land at Hapania, Hasaigari, Balihari and Sirakarpur unions in Naogaon district were inundated due to damage of a flood control embankment in the Atrai river.

State minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak distributed relief materials among around 500 people of four flood affected areas in Singra upazila Friday. He also distributed 12 boats among the worst-hit people.

Moinul Islam, additional commissioner of Rajshahi division, said the district and upazila administrations with the local public representatives have further geared up relief activities in the worst-affected areas.

Besides, the flood situation in the Meghna basin today improved further because of dwindling rainfall and hilly water from the upstream, BSS Sylhet correspondent reports.

Water of the major rivers in Sylhet receded at almost all points during the last 24 hours. The rivers of Sunamganj are also falling, easing the plight of flood victims.

Water was flowing 13 cm bellow the danger level at Kanaighat point of the the Surma river at 6:00pm today, while the river was flowing 55 cm bellow the danger mark at Sylhet point.

The Kushiyara was flowing 48 cm above danger level at Fenchuganj point at 6:00pm today, while it was flowing 9 cm bellow the danger mark at Amalshed point.

In Sunamganj, water of the Surma river was flowing at all the points, except Old Surma point in Derai upazila, below the danger mark while the water was flowing 72 cm above the danger mark.