Amidst onrushing of water from upper catchment caused by heavy downpour, water level in many of the rivers in the Ganges basin has been swelling continuously for the last couple of days deteriorating the flood situation in the region further.
Of the total 30 river points being monitored in Ganges basin regularly, water levels increased at 15 stations, while decreased at 13 stations and remained stable at two points at 9:00am Wednesday worsening the flood situation in the char (sand bars) and other low-lying areas.
But the rivers were flowing below danger level at 22 points, while above danger mark at seven points this morning.
Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has recorded a rising trend of water levels in the points of Pankha, Rajshahi and Hardinge Bridge in the past 24 hours ending 9:00am Wednesday, said Mukhlesur Rahman, superintending engineer of BWDB.
Water levels of the Ganges river increased by two centimeters (CM) each at Pankha in Chapainawabganj and at Hardinge Bridge points and three cm at Rajshahi while the level in river Padma decreased by five cm at Goalanda point.
But river Ganges was flowing 164 cm, 156 cm and 75 cm below the danger level at Pankha, Rajshahi and Hardinge Bridge points respectively, he added.
Besides, the water level of rivers Karatoya and Jamuna under Brahmaputra basin which flows in Bogura and Sirajganj have seen a receding trend this morning creating a forecast of improving the flood situation in the two districts within the next couple of days.
Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), said the water level in the Karatoya river increased by one cm at Bogura point while decreased by 24 cm at Chak Rahimpur. The river was flowing 146 cm and 29 cm below the danger mark at the two stations respectively this morning.
The Jamuna river decreased by 18 cm at Sariakandi in Bogura, 22 cm at Kajipur in Sirajganj and 13 cm at Sirajganj point and the river was still flowing 82 cm, 62 cm and 60 cm above the danger mark at Sariakandi, Kazipur and Sirajganj points respectively.
He also said the water level in the Gur river decreased by one cm at Shingra point in Natore and the river was flowing 90 cm above the danger mark.
River Atrai was flowing 107 cm above the danger level at Baghabari point in Sirajganj with five cm receding afresh this morning.
Water level in the Mahananda river further decreased by three cm at Rohanpur point in Chapainawabganj district and the river was flowing 79 cm below the danger mark.
Atrai was still flowing 11 cm above the danger mark at Atrai point in Naogaon with seven cm decrease afresh while 312 cm below the danger mark with 25 cm decrease at Mohadevpur point in Naogaon.
Of the 13 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra Basins, monitored in almost all eight districts under Rajshahi division, water levels increased at three stations, while decreased at nine stations and stable at one point.
Meanwhile, health department has undertaken all-possible measures to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases among the marooned people in the flood-affected areas amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Divisional Director of Health Gopendra Nath Acharya told BSS that 658 medical teams are working in 101 flood affected unions under 16 upazilas in the division. Besides, 17 flood shelters were opened in Bogura.
He added that 50 unions in Sirajganj, 19 in Pabna, 17 in Bogura, 10 in Naogaon and five in Natore are the worst affected ones.
"So far, 13 people drowned in Sirajganj and two in Naogaon, while two others died of snake bite in Sirajganj,” said Gopendra.
He added that they have also recorded 1,526 other patients suffering from various other flood-related diseases including 63 diarrheal and eight respiratory tract infections since 1 July.
Moinul Islam, additional divisional commissioner of Rajshahi, said the district and upazila administrations with the local public representatives have further intensified relief activities in the worst-affected areas.
He also said the district administrations and BWDB are closely monitoring the situation and taking instant steps when and where necessary during the deluge in Rajshahi division.