Flood in North: 20,000 farmers affected

Sudden flooding in the northern and northeastern regions over the last five days has inundated a large portion of arable lands, leaving thousands of farmers in dismay.

According to the agricultural office, the flood has affected around 20,000 farmers in five northern districts -- Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Nilphmari, and Gaibandha.

The flood has engulfed 10,000 hectares of Aman paddy fields and 600 hectares of vegetable orchards, said sources at Rangpur Regional Agricultural Extension Office.

"The Aman paddy I had planted on my five-bigha of land has been damaged by the water," said Matiar Rahman, a 65-year-old farmer of Gobordhan village in Lalmonirhat Sadar.

The situation is same for many other farmers, including Nazar Ali, a 67-year-old from Gatiashyam village in Kurigram's Rajarhat upazila, Abdul Khalek Bepari of Chinaduli in Jamalpur's Islampur upazila, Mujibar Mandal of Ghosherpara in Melandah upazila, and Zillur Rahman of Pakhir Char in Bogura's Sariakandi upazila.

At least three rivers -- Teesta, Brahmaputra and Jamuna -- were flowing above danger level yesterday, according to government reports.

The Teesta was flowing 12cm above danger level at Rangpur's Kaunia point yesterday morning, according to a bulletin of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) released at 9:00am yesterday.

 "The Teesta's water level is falling, which may continue, and the flood situation in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat and Rangpur districts may improve in the next 24 hours," the bulletin added.

Jamuna was flowing 10cm above danger level at Jamalpur's Bahadurabadghat point at 10:00am and 3cm above the danger level at Bogura's Sariakandi upazila around 3:00pm yesterday, said Water Development Board officials.

Besides, the Brahmaputra was flowing 7cm above danger level at Gaibandha's Fulchari upazila yesterday afternoon, the officials added.

According to the FFWC bulletin, a short-term flood situation may persist in the low-lying areas of Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura and Tangail districts in the next 72 hours.

Meanwhile, river erosion has taken a severe turn in some flood-hit areas.

At least 20 houses and vast arable tracts have been devoured by the Teesta," said Sukkur Ali, of Dawabari village in Nilphamari's Jaldhaka upazila, who also lost his homestead.

A four-kilometre section of a 40-kilometre earthen embankment at Jaldhaka upazila has become vulnerable due to strong currents in the river, leaving locals in Jaldhaka and Dimla upazilas in distress.

"The areas will go under water if the embankment collapses. We are passing sleepless nights in fear as our house will be the first one to be affected," said Kedar Nath, of Holdibari village under Jaldhaka upazila, who lives by the riverbank.

Asfauddoula Prince, executive engineer of WDB, said they are trying their best to protect the embankment.

Meanwhile, parents in the flood-hit areas are worried as children are drowning frequently.

At least 19 children drowned in flood water in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat in August, according to the district civil surgeon office.

"I have two children -- one seven and another four years old. I have to keep them under strict watch as our house is surrounded by the floodwater," said Sohagi Begum from Bagdora village in Lalmonirhat Sadar.

Contacted, Kurigram's Civil Surgeon Monjur-e-Murshed also stressed the need for strict supervision as children are now at high risk of drowning in the flood water.

[Our correspondents from Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Bogura, Jamalpur and Mymensingh contributed to the report.]