Chapainawabganj: The low-lying areas along the Padma river in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas of Chapainawabganj district have been inundated as the water levels in the Padma, Mahananda, and Punarbhaba rivers rose sharply due to an onrush of water from upstream and rainfall. Although the water levels of the three rivers are still flowing below their respective danger marks, water has entered some houses in low-lying areas.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Nazir Hossain, chairman of Narayanpur Union Parishad in Sadar upazila, stated that the water level of the Padma is rising rapidly. He mentioned that so far, water has not entered any houses or roads, but river erosion is occurring at several points. He warned that if the water continues to rise at the current rate, a flood situation may develop within a few days.
Golam Azam, chairman of Durlabhpur Union Parishad in Shibganj upazila, reported that water has not yet entered houses in his union. However, he cautioned that if the rise continues, low-lying areas of Wards 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 could be inundated within the next two to three days. Meanwhile, Aus paddy fields in the low-lying areas have been submerged, forcing farmers to harvest the rice from those areas.
Abdul Malek, chairman of Paka Union Parishad in the same upazila, said river water flooded at least 100 houses in Char Paka, Laxmipur, and Natunpara areas of his union. SM Ahsan Habib, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Chapainawabganj, noted that water levels in the district's rivers are rising due to the onrush of water from upstream India and rainfall. He expressed hope that the water levels would start falling after rising for another two days.
According to data from the Chapainawabganj Water Development Board office, as of Thursday, the Padma was flowing 36 centimeters below its danger level, while the Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers were flowing 1.32 meters and 2.32 meters below their respective danger marks.