India opens Gajoldoba barrage flooding vast areas
Special Correspondent :
Bangladesh is grappling with severe flooding after India opened all gates of the Gajoldoba barrage, causing significant swelling of the region’s rivers.
The situation is expected to deteriorate further, with meteorological departments predicting medium to extremely heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours in the northern, northeastern, and adjoining upstream parts of the country.
Meteorologists have issued warnings about the heavy rainfall, which is likely to exacerbate the current flood conditions.
The forecasted downpours are expected to put additional strain on the already swollen rivers, potentially leading to widespread inundation and displacement of communities.
Adding to the flood woes, a cyclonic circulation is currently over Manipur, with a trough extending from northeast Madhya Pradesh to Manipur at lower tropospheric levels.
Another cyclonic circulation is prevailing over Bangladesh at lower and middle tropospheric levels, further complicating the weather scenario.
In response to the rising water levels, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has kept all gates of the Teesta Barrage open to manage the water flow from upstream.
“We are doing our best to control the situation,” said BWDB Executive Engineer Asfauddin Daula
at Dalia Point. “All gates are open to alleviate the pressure and minimise flooding in the region.”
The Brahmaputra River is currently flowing above the danger level at several points.
At Nunkhawa point, the water level is 26 cm above the danger mark, while at Chilmari point it is 25 cm above, and at Hatia point in Kurigram district, it is 26 cm above the danger threshold.
These alarming levels were confirmed by a BWDB official in conversation with The New Nation on Wednesday.
On the other hand, around 300,000 people have been stranded in five upazilas of Moulvibazar district due to flooding triggered by incessant rainfall and an onrush of water from upstream.
Some 133 educational institutions went under water in Moulvibazar. The district primary education officer said that 94 primary, 39 secondary, and higher secondary schools have been inundated. Besides, 64 schools are being used as shelters.
According to the Water Development Board, the Kushyara River is flowing 17 cm above its danger level at Sherpur point, while the Manu River is 26 cm above the red marks at Chandni Ghat point.
The Juri River is flowing 184 cm above its danger level, and the Dhalai River is 1 cm above the red mark.
Those who have taken refuge in various shelters are facing uncertainty about when they can return home. Approximately 450 people have taken shelter in 33 centres in Baralekha Upazila.
The situation remains dire as residents wait for floodwaters to recede and for aid to arrive.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the flood situation in the low-lying areas in Kurigram, Jamalpur, Gaibandha, Bogura, and Serajganj districts may deteriorate as the water level at some points of the Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers may rise and probably cross the danger level in the next 24 hours.
“Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma rivers are in a rising trend, which may continue in the next 72 hours. Besides, the Surma, Bhugai, and Kangsha rivers in the north-eastern region of the country are in a falling trend, while the Kushiyara river is in a rising trend, which may continue in the next 24 hours,” Sarder Udoy Raihan, Executive Engineer, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, told The New Nation on Wednesday.
He further said that the overall flood situation in various low-lying areas of the north-eastern region may remain in a steady state in the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the waters of the Jamuna and Brahmaputra rivers were flowing 17 cm above the danger mark at Phulchari point in Gaibandha district on Wednesday.
As a result, vast areas of Kamarjani, Mollarchar, Gidari, and Ghagoa of Gaibandha Sadar Upazila, Erandabari, Phulchari, and Fazlupur of Phulchari Upazila, and lower areas of Tarapur and Haripur union of Sundarganj Upazila inundated due to flood waters.
The water levels of the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are also increasing, exacerbating the flood situation in the district’s lower regions.
On the other hand, river erosion has occurred at different points in Sadar Upazila’s Mollar Char and Phulchari’s Fazlupur Union.
According to the India Meteorological Department, isolated very heavy rainfall is likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during July 3–6; Gangetic West Bengal on July 3; Bihar during July 3–5, Assam and Meghalaya on July 3 and 7, and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura during July 3–5.
