The flood situation continues to worsen in the central regions of the country which are in close proximity to the Padma River, meanwhile the water is receding in northern Chapainawabganj Saturday.
In Manikganj, ferry and launch services between Paturia, and Daulatdia have remained disrupted due to persistent heavy current on the Padma River.
Swades Prasad, executive engineer of floating workshop at Paturia terminal, said: “Of the 16 ferries, two are completely inoperable. Of the remaining 14, only four utility ferries, and two Ro-Ro ferries are in operation at present.”
Zillur Rahman, acting deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (Aricha), said: “We were forced to suspend the operation of most of the ferries following the heavy current in the river.”
Visiting the area, this correspondent found around 500 vehicles stuck at the Paturia terminal waiting to cross the river.
In Rajbari, a similar situation prevailed at the Daulatdia terminal, as terminal number 1, and 2 have remained shut due to strong current of the Padma River.
Rajbari Water Development Board (WDB) Engineer Arifur Rahman said: “Debgram and Daulatdia area are at risk of erosion. If they are affected by the erosion the ferry terminals will be affected as well. In order to prevent erosion sand bags are being dumped in the banks of the river there.”
In Madaripur, as the water level of the Padma River started to recede, erosion on its banks has been taking an alarming shape in Shibchar upazila.
Kathalbari Primary School was swallowed by the Padma River yesterday, and in the past week, a bridge, along with roads, shops, and numerous homes fell victim to the erosion.
Shibchar UNO Md Asaduzzaman said: “Relief materials will promptly be supplied to the affected, and alternative measures will be arranged for the students who have lost their schools.”
WDB Executive Engineer Partho Pritom Saha said: “To prevent erosion at Bandarkhola, Kathalbari, and Char Janajat unions sandbags are being dumped on the banks of Padma.”
In Narail, ever since the opening of Farakka Gates, the water level of the Modhumoti, and Noboganga rivers rose alarmingly, and new regions are being affected, waterlogging thousands of locals.
Water levels of Padma, Mohananda recede in Chapainawabganj
The water levels of Padma, and Mohananda rivers started receding in the district Saturday morning, reports UNB.
According to the district WDB, the Padma water level fell by at least 5cm, and Mohananda by 2cm in the last 24 hours till yesterday morning. Padma was flowing 38cm, and Mohananda 16cm below the danger level.
Abdur Rajib Raju, Durlabhpur UP chairman of Shibganj, said a large number of houses, and roads in ward 4 of his union are still under water.
The water started receding two days ago, and if it continues the situation will improve soon, he added.
Around 58,000 people in 16 unions of the district were stranded when Mohananda, and Punorbhaba rivers breached their banks.
“Some 11,300 hectares of cropland have been flooded,” said Manjurul Huda, deputy-director of the Department of Agriculture Extension.
