Rivers continue to rise, low-lying areas flooded

Water of major rivers in north Bengal is flowing above the danger level, inundating many low-lying areas.

As a result, flood situation has worsened in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Sylhet districts.

Many areas of the districts have been submerged by flood waters, damaging houses and crops fields. Many people have taken shelter in high places.

In Sylhet, water level of Surma and Sari rivers is flowing above the danger level, inundating many low-lying areas in the district. Thousands of people of three upazilas have been marooned.

According to Water Development Board (WDB), water level of Surma river is flowing above the danger level at Kanaighat and Sunamganj points and it may cross danger level at Sarighat point in Shari-Goyain river in the next 24 hours.

In Kurigram, Dharla flowed 8cm above the danger level at Bridge Point while Brahmaputra flowed 4cm above the danger level at Chilmari point at 12pm on Friday.

Ariful Islam, executive engineer of Kurigram WDB, said there is possibility of flood in the region if water increases in Brahmaputra at end of June.

According to local administrations, char areas of Nageshwari and Sadar upazilas have already gone under water affecting many families.

Some areas in Bhurungamari, Chilmari, Roumari, Rajibpur and Ulipur upazilas were also submerged.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aush on 37 hectares of land, sesame on 93 hectares and green chili on six hectares were damaged by flood in Kurigram Sadar and Roumari upazila.

Meanwhile, vegetables, maize, sesame, peanut, and jute fields were also damaged in char areas of the district.

Teesta water level will remain steady while rising trend of Dharala may continue and it may cross danger level in the next 24 hours, it added.

Dhaka/Mukul