Low-lying areas in Chapainawabganj inundated as rivers swell

The low-lying areas along the Padma river in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas of Chapainawabganj district have been inundated as the water levels in the Padma, Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers rose sharply due to an onrush of water from upstream and rainfall.

Although the water levels of the three rivers are still flowing below their respective danger marks, water has entered some houses in low-lying areas.

Nazir Hossain, chairman of Narayanpur Union Parishad in Sadar upazila, said the water level of the Padma is rising rapidly.

"So far, water has not entered any houses or roads, but river erosion is occurring at several points," he said.

If the water continues to rise at the current rate, a flood situation may develop within a few days, he added.

Golam Azam, chairman of Durlabhpur Union Parishad in Shibganj upazila, said water has not yet entered houses in his union.

However, if the rise continues, low-lying areas of Wards 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 could be inundated within the next two to three days, he said.

However, Aus paddy fields in the low-lying areas have been submerged forcing farmers to harvest the rice from those areas.

Meanwhile, Abdul Malek, chairman of Paka Union Parishad in the same upazila, said river water flooded at least 100 houses in Char Paka, Laxmipur and Natunpara areas of his union.

SM Ahsan Habib, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Chapainawabganj, said water levels in the district's rivers are rising due to the onrush of water from upstream India and rainfall.

He expressed hope that the water levels would start falling after rising for another two days.

According to data from the Chapainawabganj Water Development Board office, as of Thursday (10 September), the Padma was flowing 36 centimetres below its danger level, while the Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers were flowing 1.32 metres and 2.32 metres below their respective danger marks.