Rajshahi, Aug 23: Water levels in many of the rivers in the Ganges basin were recorded a rising trend again today in wake of onrushing of floodwater from upstream hilly catchment areas after a steady condition for the last couple of previous days. Water levels increased at 16 points while receded at 13 points and remained stable at one point among the 30 river points monitored in the Ganges basin in the past 24 hours ending 9 am today.
However, the rivers were flowing below the danger level at 24 points, while above the danger level at six points.
“We have recorded rising trends in many of the rivers including Ganges, Padma and most of the downstreaming rivers and tributaries of the Ganges basin today,” said Mukhlesur Rahman, superintending engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), here this morning.
Water level in the Ganges River increased by two centimeter (cm) at Pankha in Chapainawabganj, one cm each at Rajshahi and Hardinge Bridge and four cm at Talbaria points at 9 am today.
But, the Ganges River was still flowing 164 cm, 182 cm, 108 cm and 74 cm below the danger levels at Pankha, Rajshahi, Hardinge Bridge and Talbaria points respectively.
Water level in the Padma River declined by two cm afresh at Goalundo point and the river was flowing 25 cm above the danger level at the point this morning, the Engineer Rahman added.
Water level of the Korotoa River further declined by 16 cm and 8 cm at Chak Rahimpur and at Bogura points respectively and the river was flowing 272 cm and 355 cm below the danger level at the two points respectively this morning.
On the other hand, the local BWDB office has recorded a rising trend again at two points of the Jamuna River today. The water level increased by two cm at Sariakandi in Bogura and one cm at Kazipur in Sirajganj while remained steady at Sirajgonj point.
Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), said the Jamuna River was still flowing six cm and 11 cm below the danger level at Kazipur and at Sirajganj points respectively, while two cm above the danger level at Sariakandi.
The Gur River was flowing 18 cm below the danger level at Singra in Natore with one cm fall afresh while the Atrai River was flowing nine cm above the danger level at Baghabari in Sirajganj point with two cm fall this morning.
Of the 16 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra Basins, being monitored in many districts under Rajshahi division regularly, water levels declined at nine points while increased at six points and remained steady at one point.
However, the rivers were flowing below the danger level at 14 points, while above the danger mark at two points during the period.
Meanwhile, the district and upazila administrations with the local public representatives have been distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas continuously since the flood situation began.
Simultaneously, the Department of Health has undertaken all possible measures to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases among the affected people amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Some 3,585 patients were recorded to be suffering from various water-related diseases and 18 deaths occurred mainly caused by drowning and snakebite since July 1, the sources added.
