Flood situation worsens in Kurigram, Sirajganj

The flood situation in Kurigram and Sirajganj has deteriorated as Brahmaputra and Jamuna's water levels are flowing above the danger level this morning.

In Kurigram, new areas in seven upazilas have been flooded as water levels in the Brahmaputra river are flowing 44 centimetres above the danger level at Chilmari point around 9:00 am, our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports.

Ariful Islam, the executive engineer of Kurigram's Water Development Board, said villagers living in risky areas were asked to find flood shelters and safe places.

Milon Islam, chairman of Thanahat Union Parishad in Chilmari upazila, said more than 7,000 people have been stranded in his union. Many people have left their homes and taken shelter on government roads and rail lines, he added.

If Brahmaputra's water level keeps rising, many more areas will flood and people will suffer a lot, he said.

Char Rajibpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nabirul Islam said government relief was being distributed among the flood victims.

The people who are stranded are being given dry food, he said.

In Sirajganj, most of the rural roads, bridges, and culverts have been submerged, damaging communications with five upazilas since Jamuna's water levels are rising.

Md Bodruddoza, the senior assistant engineer of Sirajganj LGRD, said over 270 kilometers of roads were inundated in the areas.

Sub-divisional engineer of Sirajganj water development board Md Nasir Uddin said the water is flowing 13 meters above the danger level in the Jamuna river at Sirajganj hard point this morning.

Md Abdur Rahim, district relief and rehabilitation officer, said over 1.25 lakh people of 25 unions in five Sirajganj upazilas are left stranded.

Most low-lying areas in Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Chowhali, Shahjadpur, and Kazipur upazilas have been submerged, the official said.

Communication is now a major problem in the flood-affected areas, as most roads are submerged in floodwater, he added.