Flood water decreases in Kurigram

Although river water levels in Nilphamari and Gaibandha in the north have continued to rise, water levels in the Dharla and Brahmaputra rivers have decreased in Kurigram. 

Experts say water levels in various rivers in Bangladesh continue to rise due to heavy rains in upstream India.

Even though water level in Kurigram is low at the moment, heavy rains have been forecast in India again next week when the water of Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra may rise again.

Meanwhile, the flood situation has improved in Sunamganj. At noon on Thursday, Surma's water was flowing six centimetres above the danger line. 
The ongoing floods have affected fish farmers the most in the district. 

According to the Fisheries Office, fish and fry worth about Tk21.45 crore from 2,846 ponds in the district have been washed away.

On the other hand, the flood situation in Kalmakanda of Netrokona remains unchanged. However, a union of Sadar upazila has been newly flooded by upstream water of the hill slope. The flood victims are in dire straits with their cattle. Traffic is closed on several rural roads.

Floodwaters have receded in Kurigram; likely to rise again next week

Although water levels in the rivers are decreasing slowly, the flood situation remains unchanged in Kurigram as the the Dharla, Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra rivers are flowing above the danger level.

According to the records of Kurigram Water Development Board, in the last 24 hours, the water level at Dharla Bridge Point has decreased by 17 cm to 39 cm above the danger level and at Nunkhawa Point the water level of Dudhkumar has decreased by 8 cm below the danger level at 51 cm. Besides, the water level of Brahmaputra has decreased by 9 cm at the ghat point of Chilmari upazila and the water is flowing over 60 cm above the danger level.

Ariful Islam, the executive engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board, said water levels in Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra will gradually decrease in the next one week. 

However, there is a possibility of rain in India on July 7-8, he said, adding that then the water in the rivers may rise again.

On the other hand, the Teesta water is flowing 16 cm below the danger level at Teesta Barrage point in Nilphamari, according to the Northern Water Development Board. 

Teesta water has marked a rise at Dahlia Point in the district. On Thursday, the water level increased by 10 cm and flowed 16 cm below the danger level. Teesta Barrage gauge reader Nurul Islam confirmed the information.

Meanwhile, water levels of the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Ghaghat rivers have marked rise in Gaibandha. 

According to the Water Development Board, in the last 24 hours till Thursday morning, the water of the Brahmaputra is flowing at 39 cm above the danger level at Teesta Ghat point and the water of the Ghaghat River is flowing at 43 cm above the danger level at the New Bridge point.

Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of the Gaibandha Water Development Board, said various points on the Brahmaputra Flood Control Dam and Gaibandha City Protection Dam are at risk as water levels having continued to rise. 

Necessary steps have been taken so that the dam is not damaged, he mentioned.

Jyoti Prasad Ghosh, chief engineer of the Northern Water Development Board, said some areas have faced river erosion as water receded. Preventive measures such as placing geo-bags are on to contain further erosion in the affected areas, he added.

Fish worth Tk21 crore has been washed away in Sunamganj

Fishermen have been most affected by the floods in Sunamganj. Especially, fish farms in Sunamganj Sadar, Doarabazar, Chhatak, Dharmapasha, Jamalganj Bishwambharpur have faced unrecoverable losses.

The incessant rain continued in Sunamganj from June 25 to June 28. Water entered all the neighbourhoods of Sunamganj district town. Thousands of houses were flooded. However, the water has decreased at present. All those who took refuge in 127 shelters have returned home. The water development board has said the water from the slope is creating pressure in the lowlands including Derai-Shalla.

According to the District Fisheries Department, fish and fry worth Tk21.45 crore have been washed away from 2,848 ponds in Sunamganj. The infrastructure of the pond has been destroyed. Incurring huge losses, the traders have demanded incentives.

Junaid Ahmed, a farmer from Dariyabaj village in Mollapara union of Sunamganj town, said fish worth around Tk10 lakh has been washed away from my pond.

"Other traders are in the same situation as mine. Our Sadar upazila has suffered the most. If we are not provided stimulus packages, we will not be able to revive, "he added.

Another new union flooded in Netrokona

At least 60 villages in Rangchati, Kharnai and Barakhapan unions of Kalmakanda upazila of the district are still underwater. 

Floors of many houses are underwater, leading to a shortage of clean cooking and drinking water with sewerage system problem. Flood victims are also in dire straits with their cattle. Traffic is closed on several rural roads.

According to local agriculture department sources, 510 acres of Aus land and 14 acres of Aman seedbed was submerged in the floods. Kalmakanda upazila nirbahi officer Sohail Rana said 40 tonnes of rice had been distributed among the flood victims so far.

Meanwhile, floods have occurred in Kaliyara-Gabragati union of Sadar upazila due to upstream onrush of water. Union parishad chairman Sharif Ahmed Khan said at least 10 villages, including Haridaspur, Barakathuri, Koraikandi, Shailnarayan, Kaliara, Rajapur and Gabragati in the low-lying areas, were inundated. The Basati-Nariapara road of this union has also sunk.

Besides, 68 villages of Khaliajuri upazila of Haor have been flooded even though water has not risen in the localities. Transportation there has become completely boat dependent.