Over 50,000 stranded as Padma swells in Kushtia

More than 50,000 people have been stranded in Kushtia's Daulatpur upazila as the Padma River continues to rise rapidly, inundating large areas of Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions.

The rising water has submerged roads and other communication routes, flooded farmland and disrupted education in the two unions, where classes have been suspended at 18 schools.

At 9am today (11 September), the Padma's water level at the Hardinge Bridge point stood at 13.02 metres - only 78cm below the danger level of 13.80 metres, according to the Water Development Board.

The river stood at 12.88 metres at the same point on Thursday afternoon, meaning the water level rose 14cm in just 18 hours.

The Water Development Board said the river has been rising rapidly for the past week due to an upstream surge flowing through Farakka. Water levels have increased by an average of 10–14 centimetres a day.

Floodwaters disrupt classes and hamper educational activities in affected areas. Photo: Collected

Residents fear the situation in the low-lying parts of Daulatpur could deteriorate further if the river continues to rise.

Most roads and communication routes in Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur have gone under water, leaving more than 50,000 people almost cut off from the mainland, residents said.

Floodwater has entered farmland in parts of Philipnagar, Moricha, Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur, damaging transplanted Aman paddy, bananas, chillies and other crops.

An initial assessment by the upazila agriculture office found that around 350 hectares of farmland had been affected.

With floodwater approaching residential areas, affected families are also struggling to protect livestock and secure cattle feed and safe drinking water.

"Thousands of people are stranded and spending miserable days. If the water continues to rise and the flooding persists, there could be severe shortages of safe drinking water, dry food and cattle feed. Government relief and emergency assistance should reach the affected areas quickly," said Sheikh Nuruzzaman, a former member of Chilmari Union Parishad.

Chilmari Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Mannan said the sudden rise in the Padma had inundated villages and farmland across the union.

"Most roads have gone under water, leaving communication almost cut off. People are stranded and living in miserable conditions. We are regularly informing the upazila administration about the situation," he said.

The rising water has also disrupted education in the flood-hit areas.

A boy makes a temporary boat from tin sheets to travel through floodwaters. Photo: Collected

After visiting the affected areas, Upazila Education Officer Mushtaq Ahmed said travelling to school had become risky for students.

Classes have been suspended at 16 primary and two secondary schools in the two unions, although the upazila administration has not formally ordered their closure, he said.

The school buildings will remain open and can be used as shelters by people displaced by the flooding if necessary, he added.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Rehena Parvin said agriculture officials were assessing the full extent of the crop damage.

Lists of affected farmers would be prepared and necessary assistance and agricultural advice provided, she said.

Daulatpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Guha said the administration was closely monitoring the situation and preparing emergency relief operations in coordination with local representatives.

Limited food supplies had already been distributed among distressed and vulnerable families in Chilmari union, he added.