Water level rises in Sunamganj, river erosion in 15 Rangpur villages

For heavy rains in Cherrapunji of Meghalaya, the upstream has created a sudden pressure in Sunamganj.

From Thursday morning, the water started rising again. From 9am Thursday to 9am Friday, the water level in Surma River rose by 60cm while the rainfall during this time was 183mm.

Owing to heavy rains in Meghalaya for three consecutive days, Sunamganj may get flooded again.

Meanwhile, river erosion continues in at least 15 villages in different areas of Rangpur district as the floodwater has started receding.

Sunamganj flood situation

According to the Sunamganj Water Development Board, the water level in the Surma was 7.37cm below the danger level at 9am Thursday but was flowing above 7.97cm on Friday morning.

As of filing the report, the water of the Surma was flowing at 17cm above the danger mark.

Sources informed that, from July 9, there was a heavy rain forecast for three successive days in Cherrapunji.

However, the heavy rain started before a day of making the forecast. The upstream from India mounted pressure on Sunamganj. And thus, the water level increased in the bordering rivers as well as the main river, Surma.

If the water level continues rising this way, flood may occur again. Considering this, the district administration has issued directives to open shelter centres in every upazila.

Earlier, from June 25 to 29, Sunamganj was flooded for the upstream and heavy rains. The district town was inundated. Floods occurred in 64 unions.

However, the water started receding from June 29.

Sobibur Rahman, executive engineer of Sunamganj Water Development Board, said that river water was rising in the district.

"There is a risk of flood again. The water level has risen by 60cm in last 24 hours," he said.

River erosion in 15 villages in Rangpur

For a quicker decrease in Teesta water level, erosion has occurred in 15 villages of different upazilas in Rangpur.

According to the Water Development Board information, river erosion has occurred in at least five kilometers of 15 villages in Kaunia, Gangachara and Pirgachha in the district.

Homesteads and croplands have been submerged while over a thousand of people have been affected.

Mehedi Hasan, executive engineer of the Rangpur Water Development Board, said that people in the area were living a miserable life owing to the river erosion.

However, the official said they will work in the erosion-affected areas during the dry season.