Padma, Garai flowing near danger mark in Kushtia: 50,000 people stranded, thousand hectares of crops lost

Heavy rainfall and increased water release from India's Farakka Barrage have driven the Padma and Garai rivers close to danger levels, resulting in flooding of large parts of Kushtia's Daulatpur upazila.

Over the past week, water levels have risen nearly 150 centimeters, submerging low-lying areas and threatening more communities. The Garai, a major Padma tributary flowing past Kushtia town, has also overflowed, cutting off Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur from the mainland.

"At least 50,000 people on the far bank are now stranded, unable to move due to the rising water," said Siraj Mandal, chairman of Ramkrishnapur Union.

The floods have devastated agriculture in the char regions of Philipnagar, Moricha, Chilmari, and Ramkrishnapur, with about 1,000 hectares of chili, banana, paddy, and other crops underwater. 

"Every day, new areas are going underwater. At this rate, it won't be long before the char villages are flooded," warned Chilmari Union chairman Abdul Mannan.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), as of 3 pm Wednesday, both the Padma and Garai were flowing just one centimeter below the danger mark. 

The Padma's level at Hardinge Bridge Point stood at 12.90 meters, where the danger level is 13.80 meters, while the Garai was at 11.29 meters, where the danger level is 12.30 meters.

With daily rises of 12–20 centimeters. Officials fear the danger threshold could be breached within days.

Thirteen primary schools in char areas have closed after floodwaters entered their premises and are now being used as emergency shelters. Local representatives warn that unprotected riverbanks could trigger sudden flooding. 

"Without immediate embankment protection, it's only a matter of time before floodwater enters more residential areas," said Monirul Islam of Bhurkapara village.

Union Nirhabi Officer (UNO) Abdul Hai Siddiqui said the administration is on high alert, relocating at-risk families and preparing relief supplies, including dry food. 

WDB data shows the Padma began rising sharply on August 2 following a significant increase in Farakka's water release.

"The Padma's rise has already destroyed hundreds of bighas of crops. Road connections are cut off, isolating entire communities," said Sheikh Nuruzzaman of Chilmaripara. Upazila 

Agriculture Officer Nurul Islam warned that more farmland could be flooded if water levels keep rising.

Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Md Taufiqur Rahman said emergency relief measures are ready to be deployed.