BSS :
Despite further rise in their water levels during the last 24 hours, the major rivers were still flowing below their respective danger marks at all monitoring points in the Brahmaputra basin.
Officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said water levels of major rivers like Brahmaputra, Dharla and Jamuna might continue to rise following onrush of water amid monsoon rains from the upstream during the next 72 hours in the basin.
A bulletin of Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of BWDB said there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in the northern and northeastern regions and sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya states of India in the next 72 hours.
“As a result, water levels of the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers of the northern region may rise rapidly at times during this period creating a flash flood situation at places in the Brahmaputra basin,” the bulletin said.
The recorded rainfalls during the last 24 hours ending at 9am today were 66mm at Cherrapunji and 29mm at Jalpaiguri points of the northwestern Indian states in the upstream.
“Besides, the BWDB recorded 147mm rainfalls at Dalia and 25m at Jamalpur monitoring points in the Brahmaputra basin during the same period,” the bulletin said.
During the last 24 hours ending at 9 am Monday, water levels of the Dharla rose by 31cm at Kurigram, Ghagot by 37cm at Gaibandha, Brahmaputra by 13cm at Noonkhawa and 26cm at Chilmari and Teesta rose by 9cm at Kawnia and fell by 18cm at Dalia points.
Besides, water levels of the Jamuna rose by 31cm at Fulchhari, 36cm at Bahadurabad and 43cm at Sariakandi, 3cm at Kazipur and 18cm at Sirajganj points during the period.
The Dharla was flowing 45cm below its DM at Kurigram, Brahmanpara by 115cm at Noonkhawa and 860cm at Chilmari, Teesta by 28cm at Dalia and 25cm at Kawnia and Ghaghot was flowing below the DM by 120cm at Gaibandha points at 9 am.
Besides, the Jamuna was flowing 81cm below the DM at Fulchhari, 73cm at Bahadurabad, 86cm at Sariakandi, 214cm at Kazipur and 109cm at Sirajganj points at 9 am today.
Chief Engineer for Rangpur zone of BWDB Engineer Jyoti Prosad Ghosh told BSS that water levels of the Dharla, Dudhkumar, Teesta, Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers might continue to rise rapidly during the next 72 hours.
He said there is a chance of a short-term flash flood in low-lying areas of Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Rangpur and Nilphamari in the Brahmaputra basin following possible heavy monsoon rains in the upstream during the next few days.
However, sporadic incidents of river erosion have been reported from Kurigram and Gaibandha districts though all of the major rivers were flowing below their respective danger marks at all monitoring points in the Brahmaputra basin today.
“We are closely monitoring the overall river situation, conducting emergency protection works of riverside areas from erosion and ready to take steps where and when necessary in Rangpur division under Rangpur zone of BWDB,” Engineer Ghosh added.
