Nine haor rivers still above danger level

Rainfall has eased across Bangladesh’s northeastern region over the past 24 hours, but water levels in several haor-basin rivers remain above the pre-monsoon danger mark, keeping low-lying areas under pressure.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board’s 9:00am bulletin on Tuesday, water in nine rivers across five haor-basin districts was flowing above the danger level at 11 monitoring points, despite no significant rainfall being recorded in the northeast during the previous 24 hours.

In Sylhet, the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj rose by 22cm and was flowing 5cm above the danger level.

In Sunamganj, the same river at Markuli increased by 22cm and stood 8cm above the danger mark, while the Naljur River at Jagannathpur rose by 6cm and was flowing 46cm above the danger level.

Several rivers in Netrakona also remained above the danger level. The Dhanu-Baulai River at Khaliajuri rose by 6cm and was flowing 14cm above the danger mark.

Although the Someshwari River at Kalmakanda fell by 8cm, it was still 42cm above the danger level. The Bhugai-Kangsha River at Jariajanjail dropped by 16cm but remained 51cm above the mark.

The Mogra River in Netrakona rose by 8cm and was flowing 87cm above the danger level, while at Atpara it fell slightly by 3cm but remained 24cm above the mark.

In Habiganj, the Kalni River at Ajmiriganj rose by 13cm and was flowing 23cm above the danger level. The Sutang River at Sutang Rail Bridge dropped by 17cm, but it was still 66cm above the danger mark.
In Moulvibazar, the Manu River rose sharply by 110cm and was flowing 1cm above the danger level.

The Water Development Board said river levels in the Sunamganj haor region were rising very slowly, at a rate of zero to 1cm per hour. Meanwhile, a special bulletin from India reported no significant rainfall in Meghalaya and Assam over the past 24 hours.

Officials say the easing of rainfall may help slow further rises, but continued high water levels in haor rivers remain a concern for vulnerable low-lying areas.