Major rivers still flowing above danger level, BWDB warns of more floods

The Padma, Jamuna, Brahmaputra rivers and most of their tributaries are still swelling above the danger mark, submerging a vast area of the northern districts of the country.

The Padma River has been flowing 20 centimetres above the danger mark at Goalando point in Rajbari and the water level at  Bhagyakul, Mawa and Sureswar points is on the rise, according to the latest bulletin by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) on Tuesday morning.

The water level at Goalando point was just 4cm above the danger mark around 9am on Monday.

More floods in a week

Md Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of FFWC, told Dhaka Tribune the water level may fall a little in different points in the north and northeastern districts, but it will remain above the danger level due to scattered rainfall. 

“After a week, the seasonal rainfall might increase and we may see more flooding. Until then, the situation across the country will remain relatively unchanged over the next few days,” he added.

The FFWC expects the water level of Padma and Ganges to continue to rise in the next 48 hours. The Padma may cross the danger mark at Bhagyakul point during this time.

“The water level of the Brahmaputra and Jamuna remains stable. However, the Jamuna may cross the danger mark at Aricha point in the next 24 hours,” the flood forecast said. 

People use a van as transport during the flood in Tangail on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | Dhaka TribuneThe FFWC also said floods in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sirajganj and Tangail will remain unchanged while floods in Sylhet and Sunamgonj may recede.

Rivers continue to swell in most districts

In Sirajganj, the water level of the Jamuna River rose to 45cm above the danger mark as of Tuesday 3pm, and it may continue to rise the next day, confirmed AKM Rafikul Islam, deputy divisional engineer of BWDB of the district.

In Jamalpur, the flooding has worsened further as the Jamuna River was flowing 84 cm above the danger mark at Bahadurabad Ghat point in Dewanganj upazila on Tuesday morning, confirmed BWDB Gauge Reader Abdul Mannan.

Many new parts of the district, namely Mahmudpur, Durmudh, Nangla, Kulia, Fulkocha and Jhahgora unions under Melandah upazila have been inundated with water and around 250,000 people of 38 unions are currently stranded outside their homes.

In Bogra, at least 6,632 hectares of paddy fields were still submerged in Sariakandi upazila on Tuesday.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Halim confirmed the matter and said approximately 50,000 residents of the area were grappling with waterlogging.

Bogra Water Development Board officials said the Jamuna was flowing a whopping 62 centimetres above the danger level on Tuesday afternoon, and more areas may become flooded if the river keeps swelling.

In Kurigram, 50 more char villages were flooded on Tuesday due to the rising of water levels in the Dharala and Brahmaputra rivers.

Dharla and Brahmaputra rivers were flowing  61cm and 71cm above their danger levels at Bridge point and Chilmari point, respectively, on Tuesday morning. 

Over 200,000 people in 55 unions and 357 villages in the district have been affected by the flooding, confirmed the local administration office.

Erosion threatens Lalmonirhat as Teesta recedes

After flowing above the danger level for four days, the water level of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat began to recede on Monday and was flowing below the danger level on Tuesday.

People cross a submerged road in Sunamganj after a flood hit the region recently on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 | Dhaka TribuneHowever, the receding water brought threats of erosion along with relief from flooding.

Severe erosion has occurred in Char Gokunda of Sadar upazila, Kutirpar of Aditmari, Chandimari, Dakshin Balapara, Shailmari Char of Kaliganj, Saniajan, Sindurna, Dauabari and Gaddimari of Hatibandha upazila, reports UNB.

Locals said hundreds of houses have been devoured by the Teesta in the last two days, and those living on the banks of the river are now spending sleepless nights out of fear of erosion.

They urged the government to build a permanent dam in order to prevent flooding and erosion.

Govt asks district administrations to prepare, Ministry of Water Resources opens flood control room

The government has instructed district administrations to take proper steps to address the ongoing floods in different parts of the country.

Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus delivered the instruction through a virtual meeting today, a PMO press release said.

He asked deputy commissioners (DCs) to take integrated initiatives, involving public representatives and officials concerned, to deal with the ongoing floods in different districts and provide assistance to flood victims amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Water Resources on Tuesday opened a control room to monitor and collect information about floods across the country.

Anyone can communicate with the control room through the number 01318 234 560, said Asif Ahmed, public relations officer of the ministry.