Dhaka, July 12 – The flood situation in the eastern, southern and northern regions of Bangladesh worsened yesterday as major rivers there were flowing above the danger-levels.
The Teesta River was flowing 25 cm above the danger level at Dalia point in Nilphamari district at the Northern part of the country around 9 am on Friday, flooding the char and low-lying areas under Dimla and Jaldhaka Upazilas.
Meanwhile, 15 unions under Nilphamari Sadar Upazila have become waterlogged as an effect of the non-stop downpour.
Bangladesh Water Development Board’s (BWDB) Dimla Division Executive Engineer Mostafizur Rahman said they had already asked residents of the at-risk areas to move to safer areas.
Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Khaled Rahim said the flood situation had worsened around the Teesta’s downstream areas after the sluice gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage in India were opened to counterbalance the rise in the river’s water level.
Our Lalmonirhaat correspondent reported that around Friday noon, the Teesta was flowing 8cm above the danger level Doani point while Dharla has been flowing 7cm above the danger level at Kulaghat point.
Rabiul Islam, the Executive Engineer of Dalia point of the barrage, said all sluice gates have been opened. Excessive flow of water has led to the inundation of low land and char areas in Lalmonirhat, he said.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Ali Hayder said at least 950 packets of dry food, 150 metric tonnes of rice and Tk2.5 lakh will be distributed among the affected people after getting a list from the Upazilas.
At least 12,000 families in Dohogram union of Patgram upazila, Goddimari, Saniazan, Sindurna, Patikapara, Singimari in Hatibandha upazila, Mohishkhocha in Aditmari upazila, Khuniagach, Rajpur, Gokunda, Kulaghat and Mogolhat union in Sadar upazila have been stranded, he added.
Locals said heavy rain in the last five days disconnected the area from the district town. The Children, elderly and handicap people have been facing crisis mostly due to unavailability of drinking water.
Manik Mia of Mohishkhocha union under Aditmari Upazila said they did not receive any relief yet from anyone, reported our Lalmonirhaat correspondent.
Our Noakhali correspondent reported that at least 15 villages in Parshuram and Fulgazi Upazilas of Feni at the Southern part of the country have been marooned after embankments in eight points along Muhuri, Kohua and Silonia rivers collapse from heavy rainfall and landslides on Indian hills.
“Heavy rain and mudslides from Indian hills raised the water level of Muhuri River to a dangerous point, reaching up to 2.17cm. As a result, embankments in at least 8 points near Muhuri, Kohua and Silonia rivers were inundated on Wednesday,” Feni Water Development Board acting executive engineer Zahid Uddin told our correspondent.
He also said locals were asked to stay alert through announcements through loudspeakers to prevent possible losses in the flood-affected areas.
“The collapse of the embankments on Muhuri River has damaged the main road of Fulgazi Upazila, sending at least 7 villages under water. Major croplands, roads, schools and colleges went under water,” Fulgazi Upazila Chairman Abdul Alim said.
Parshuram Upazila UNO Mohammad Rasel-ul-Kader informed that besides continuous rainfall, landslides on Indian hills also contributed to the disaster.
Meanwhile, several cracks were spotted on other embankments and the rising water levels now threatened people’s lives in the riverside areas.
UNB’s Sherpur correspondent reports that constant rain and heavy flow of water from the upstream have worsened the flood situation.
Parts of Jhenigati Sadar and over 25 villages of Dhanshail, Kangsha, Hatibandha and Malijhikanda unions were inundated.
Jhenigati UNO Rubel Mahmud said at least 10,000 people of five unions have been affected. The situation will improve when the rain stops, he added.
Our Sylhet correspondent reports that parts of Goainghat Upazila have gone under water during incessant rain over the last couple of days. Communication with Upazila Sadar and low-lying areas were cut due to flooding.
Road communication was halted in several villages of East Zaflong, Alirgaon, Rustompur, Doubari, Lengura, Toakul and Nandirgaon unions. On the other hand, erosion put several dams in the area at the risk of collapse.
Goainghat UNO Bishwajit Kumar Pal said the administration has been monitoring the overall situation. They have already started to send relief goods to every Union of the Upazila, he added.
Meanwhile, the government has started preparations to tackle floods with rivers in 10 districts of the country flowing above the danger level due to heavy rains.
Relief in the form of 17,500 metric tonnes of rice, 50,000 packets of dry food and Tk 20.9 million have been sent to these districts.
The districts will each receive 500 tents and medical teams within the next few days said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman.
The prime minister has instructed the authorities to take extensive preparations amid growing fears of flooding, said Enamur.
“The met office has forecast heavy rains over the next few days which could worsen the flood situation.”
The situation has deteriorated over the last 24 hours in the Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Bogura, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Chattogram, Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar and Nilphamari districts, said the state minister.
The Jamuna is likely to rise further due to the swelling of the Brahmaputra in India. At the same time, the increase in the Ganga in Bihar could also result in floods in the Padma basin.
Enamur said, the authorities have flagged 628 river points across the country as risky. Of these, 26 were marked as ‘very risky’.
“The water resources ministry has instructed authorities to take appropriate measures at these points. Work is underway to prepare 551 risk-free centres.” – Staff Reporter
