Jamuna swells in Sirajganj, low-lying areas inundated

The water level in the Jamuna river has continued to rise in Sirajganj over the past week, inundating low-lying and shoal areas in five upazilas.

However, Water Development Board (WDB) officials said there is no immediate risk of flooding.

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The river was flowing at 13.74m at Kazipur point this morning, 1.06m below the danger level, and at 12.27 metres at the Sirajganj hard point, 63cm below the danger mark, according to WDB data.

Notably, danger level in Kazipur point is 14.80m and Sirajganj hard point is 12.90m.

The Jamuna began swelling on August 3. Over the past six days, its water level has risen by 76cm at Kazipur and 83cm at the Sirajganj hard point.

“Onrush of water and heavy rainfall upstream are driving the increase in the Jamuna's water levels. The river will continue to rise for the next one or two days before receding again,” said Md Nazmul Hossain, sub-divisional engineer of the Sirajganj WDB.

He said flood forecasts indicated no immediate risk of the river crossing the danger level, adding that the Jamuna has risen eight to 10 times since the last week of June but has not crossed the danger mark.

However, residents in low-lying areas are already concerned.

More than 100 homesteads and extensive croplands around Chowhali have been inundated, while shoals in the upazila have gone underwater, said local schoolteacher Md Abdul Jalil. He said floodwater had not yet entered homes.

In Kalia Haripur union, most shoal villages have also been submerged, leaving villagers without daily work.

Md Abdul Awal, a sub-assistant agriculture officer, said major crop losses had been avoided as most paddy and jute had already been harvested.

However, vegetable fields and crops on higher ground could be affected if the river crosses the danger level.