Jamuna Swells: Thousands marooned in low laying areas of Sirajganj

Thousands of people living in low-lying areas of different upazilas of Sirajganj have been marooned as the mighty Jamuna river has continued to swell.

The river has been swelling rapidly over the last couple of days and the water level is almost close to the danger level mark.

The situation is worsening every day as the increasing water level may cross the danger mark anytime, but surprisingly Sirajganj Water Development Board (WDB) ruled out any chances of immediate flood in the district.

Although, officially there is no, most of the low-laying areas under Sirajganj Sadar, Kazipur, Chowhali, Belkuchi and Shahzadpur upazilas have been submerged under water, marooning over 50,000 in those shoal areas.

While visiting different flood hit areas, this correspondent saw many waterlogged families seeking help from the government, although officially there is no flood.

"Flood water may enter my house any time as water level in the Jamuna keeps increasing over the last few days, Babul Miah of Bonni village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila said.

 Amid the waterlogging situation, Babul is facing serious trouble in maintaining his family as has been out of work for long due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Like Babul most of the people living in the low-laying areas along the Jamuna river are experiencing the pain as they are not getting any support from the government.

Sirajganj District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abdur Rahim said usually people living in shoal areas are habituated to fight against natural disasters.

Any relief distributing work is yet to start as officially there is no flood, he said, adding that waterlogging in the low-laying areas of Sirajganj is a common problem.