Brahmaputra Water Overflows in Gaibandha, Flooding River Basin Areas

One of the country's largest rivers, the Brahmaputra, reached danger level in the district this morning, flooding the areas along the river basin.

At the Kawnia Bridge location in the Rangpur district, the teesta, another significant river in the northern part of the nation, is also running over its danger level, resulting in flood-like conditions on both banks of the river.

However, this morning, the flow of the other two significant rivers, the Karotoa and the Ghagot, is below their respective danger marks.

Officials from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) at this location claimed that the constant rain and influx of mountainous waters from the upstream caused the water levels of the major rivers running through the region to rise considerably.

The water levels in the Brahmaputra rose by 14 cm, the Ghagot 22 cm, and the Karatoa 03 cm, BWBD recorded.

Of them, the Brahmaputra was flowing 04 cm above its danger level at Fulchharighat point of the district this morning.

With the rise of water level in the Brahmaputra river, the river basin areas of Sundarganj, Sadar, Fulchhari and Saghata upazila had been inundated and the standing crops particularly jute and summer vegetables went under flood water.

Md. Saiduzzaman, chairman of Mollarchar Union Parishad of Sadar upazila, said flood water entered the houses of the union as the affected people are having problem with their poultry birds and domestic animals.

"They cannot cook food due floodwater. At this moment, they need dry food to survive," the chairman said.

BWDB Executive Engineer Mokhlasur Rahman said as the Brahmaputra was flowing over its danger mark, the officials and the employees of the board had been kept alert and vigil to protect the embankment from any kind of destruction.

He said that security measures at the town protection embankment had also been increased because the Ghagot river was also running slightly below its danger level. This was done to prevent any vested interests from cutting it and causing the Gaibandha municipality to suffer greatly.

The district and upazila administrations, according to acting district relief and rehabilitation officer and assistant commissioner of the district administration Md. Jewel Miah, are prepared with relief supplies and personnel to effectively manage the flooding crisis in the district.

He said that they were also keeping a careful eye on the situation and updating the higher authority who was concerned about it.

Source: BSS