Farmers fear crops loss due to sudden northern floods
Staff Reporter :
With the continuous rainfall in the northern region, the water level of a number of rivers is flowing above the danger mark, and flooding the standing crops spanning a vast area of the river basins.
Farmers fear that they will lose crops if the flood continues and they will incur a heavy loss.
According to Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), three rivers -Teesta in Lalmonirhat, Jamuneswari in Rangpur and Punarbhaba in Dinajpur – are flowing above danger level.
The Kaunia station of Teesta River was flowing 10cm above the danger level, while Badarganj station of Jamuneswari was flowing 14cm above danger mark and Dinajpur station of Punarbhaba River was above 1cm of the danger level, FFWC said.
Significant rainfall was recorded in a number of stations during the last 24 hours. Rajshahi 137mm, Rangpur 99mm, Dalia 96mm, Kaunia 85mm, Chilmari 82mm, Naogaon 67mm, Naogaon 65mm, Panchagarh 64mm, Gaibandha 62mm and Dinajpur 52mm.
FFWC further said Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Upper karatoa, Upper Atrai, Kulikh, Tangon, Jamuneswari and Punarbhaba rivers in the northern region of the country are in a rising trend, which may fall in the next 24 hours.
Due to heavy flow of water, all the sluice gates of Teesta Barrage have been kept opening to reduce pressure.
The locals report that the Teesta River water has increased due to onrush of hill water and the heavy rainfall in the last few days, inundating five Upazilas of Lalmonirhat district.
Approximately 10,000 families have been affected by the flooding, as they find themselves trapped in the rising waters.
With the constant threat of floodwaters encroaching further into their homes and croplands, the residents of the Teesta floodplain and low-lying areas are living in fear of losing crops and other valuables.
Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board Lalmonirhat Golam Faruque told the media that several areas including Khuniagachh, Gokonda, Mogolhat, Kularghat, Barabari of Sadar upazila, Tushbhandar, Kakina Bhotmari of Kaliganj upazila, Srirampur, Patgram, Burimari, Dahagram, Jagatber, Bowra of Patgram, Mohishkhocha and Durgapur of Aditmari, Dauabari, Sindurna, Goddimari, Barakhata, Singimari, Patikapara of Hatibandha are apprehending floods and the low laying areas of these unions have flooded.
Meanwhile, the water level of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj is once again on the rise, causing inundation of the low-lying areas along its banks and affecting new areas.
In the past 24 hours, the water level of the Jamuna River has increased by 42 centimeters, Water Development Board’s Sub-divisional Engineer, Ranjit Kumar Sarkar said.
