Jamuna water crosses danger level; 60,000 people stranded in Bogura, Sirajganj

Water of Jamuna river has crossed danger level worsening flood situation in Bogura and Sirajganj.

Around 60,000 people were stranded in the two districts due to the rise in water level, report our local Bogura and Pabna correspondents.

A moderate flood for the next 10 days in Sariakandi upazila was forecast by Hydrology Department of Bogura Water Development Board (WDB).

Jamuna was flowing one centimetre above the danger level around 3pm at Mathurapara point in the upazila, according to water control room of the Bogura WDB.

On the other hand, low lying areas of the upazila started flooding from Wednesday.

Shawkat Ali, Chairman of the Chaluabari union Parishad of the Sariakandi upazila said, "Water increased rapidly since yesterday. Flood water entered houses of the Noapara and Hatbari char and around 10,000 people in my area remained stranded since yesterday afternoon."

Kawkhola char in Sirajganj Sadar upazila. Photo: Star

Shultan Sheikh (60), a resident of the Boyali char under the same upazila, said flood water already entered the crop lands.

When contacted, Md Mahbubur Rahman, executive engineer of the WDB, Bogura said, "Upstream (Assam, Meghalaya) water is causing flood in this area this year. A moderate flood will remain throughout the first week of September."

Water level of Brahmaputra in Gaibandha was also rising. It was flowing 26 cm below the danger level around 9am today, said the water control room of Gaibandha WDB.

In Sirajganj, water level of Jamuna crossed the danger marl and will continue to increase for the next eight to 10 days, according to Sirajganj WDB.

Md Nasir Uddin, a sub-divisional engineer of the WDB, said Jamuna is flowing six centimetres above the danger level at the Hard point in Sirajganj and 11 cm above the danger mark at Kazipur point this morning.

"Water level is increasing rapidly in Jamuna at both the points. Rising may continue till September 4 according to the flood forecasting centre." Nasir told the Daily Star.

Low lying areas of Sirajganj Sadar, Kazipur and Shahzadpur upazila have been reportedly flooded due to the onrush water from the upstream while few parts of Belkuchi and Chowhali upazila have also been inundated.

Over 50,000 people of the shoal areas remain stranded currently, said District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) Md Abdur Rahim.

District administration is ready to begin relief work if needed as sufficient relief materials have been preserved, the DRRO claimed.

Adajan village in Tangail's Basail upazila. Photo: Collected

In Tangail, flood situation worsened after water in all rivers, including Jamuna, rose above the danger level.

The inundation of the rivers has flooded low-lying areas of Sadar, Kalihati, Nagarpur, Bhunapur, Basail, and Mirzapur upazilas. In these areas, crop and vegetable fields have also been submerged.

Mohammad Sirajul Islam, executive engineer of the Tangail Water Development Board, told The Daily Star that according to the forecast, Jamuna's water level will continue to rise for another 24 hours, flooding new areas of the district.