Staff Reporter :
Flood situation in some northern districts has been deteriorating, as the river water in the Brahmaputra, the Jamuna, the Ganges and the Padma have rising trend, which may continue in the next 72 hours.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has opened 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage to control the flood water.
The Teesta river water has been increasing due to heavy rains occurred in the upstream in the last few days. As a result, there is risk of flood in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts.
In the meantime, families living in the lower areas, Char and Char-islands along the banks of Teesta have become waterlogged.
The fields of Aman paddy, jute and various vegetables have been submerged by flood waters. Besides, the flood hit families have been suffering from pure drinking water.
According to Rangpur BWDB, the water level of the Teesta river was flowing 25 cm above the danger level at Dalia Point on Monday. Being unable to control the flood water, they opened the 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage.
However, on Tuesday morning, the water level of Teesta river decreased a little and was flowing 14 cm above the flood line at Dalia Point.
Around 2500 families of Nohali, Kolkond, Lakshmitari, Gajghanta and Mornea Unions of Gangachara Upazila of Rangpur district have become waterlogged with rising Teesta water.
Many have taken shelters in the flood protection dam with their household furniture and livestock.
Abdullah Al Hadi, Chairman of Laxmatari Union Parishad, said that most of the people in his UP’s wards have become waterlogged with the Teesta river water.
Villages which were not been flooded in the past have now been flooded, he said adding that Char people’s houses, trees and crop fields have been extensively damaged. Around 400 families of the West Bagerhat shelter centre have become marooned by flood water.
Meanwhile, Gangachra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ershad Uddin and Upazila Project Implementation Officer Monimur Rahman visited the flood-affected areas.
Ahsan Habib, Executive Engineer of Rangpur Water Development Board, said that there is a risk of moderate to heavy rainfall in the northern part of the country and the adjoining upstream areas in the next 24 hours.
As a result, the water of the northern rivers will continue to increase.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), the major rivers in the northern region of the country are in rising trend; while except the Kushiyara, the major rivers in the north-eastern region of the country are in steady state.
According to the forecast of meteorological agencies, there is chance of medium to heavy rainfall at some places of the northern and north-eastern region of the country along with adjoining upstream areas of India in next 24 hours, FFWC sources said.
As a result, the rivers in the northern region of the country except the Brahmaputra and the major rivers in the north-eastern region of the country may remain steady in next 24 hours.
The flood situation at low lying places of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts within the Teesta basin may remain steady in next 24 hours.
