34 villages flooded in Kushtia after heavy rain; crops damaged  

Four unions in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia along the Padma River have been inundated due to heavy rainfall caused by low pressure in the Bay and onrush of upstream water, rendering residents of 34 villages stranded.

Moreover, crops including pulse, chilli, banana and other vegetables planted on several hectares of lands along the river were damaged badly.

Daulatpur Upazila Agricultural Official Nurul Islam said vigna mungo (mashkolai dal) planted in 1, 620 hectares of lands in Maricha, Philip Nagar, Chilmari and Ramakrishna unions was damaged that incurred loss of Tk 23.33 crore.

Besides, the extent to damages of chilli, banana and other vegetables planted on 70, 73 and 13 hectares of land is yet to be determined, he said.

This year, farmers planted pulses on 2,323 hectares of land in the upazila, said the upazila agriculture office.

According to the Water Development Board,  water level at the Hardinge Bridge Point of the Padma River surged by two centimetres in the last 21 hours till 9am on Thursday but it is still flowing below the danger level.

Pabna's Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rezaul Karim said there is no concern of surge of water level in the river from Thursday and the water will start falling after remaining stable for next one to two days.

Due to the inundation, some primary schools remained closed in Chilmari union on Thursday. Road communication was also suspended.

Chilmari UP Chairman Abdul Mannan said water has entered around 18 villages of his union inundating roads. However, the water has not yet entered the houses.

Contacted, Ramkrishnapur UP Chairman Siraj Mandal said 16 villages under his union have been inundated. The pulse cultivation has been affected .

In this regard, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Waibdullah said they have made all kinds of preparations to tackle the flood and they are in touch with the flood-hit people.