The water level of various rivers in Sherpur is rising due to the hilly terrain coming down from the upstream due to continuous rains in Meghalaya, India. On Tuesday afternoon, the water level of the Chellakhali River in Nalitabari upazila of the district was flowing 135 centimeters above the danger level. The water level of other rivers is rising. If the continuous rains and hilly terrain continue, there is a fear of flooding in Jhenaigati and Nalitabari.
According to Sherpur Water Development Board (PWDB), the water level of the Chellakhali River was flowing 135 centimeters above the danger level at 3 pm today. However, the water level of the Bhogai River is flowing 184 centimeters below the danger level and the water level of the Old Brahmaputra River in Sherpur is flowing 668 centimeters below the danger level. In addition, the water level of the Maharashi and Someshwari rivers in Jhenaigati has started rising since morning.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of the Disaster Management Department has warned that the low-lying areas of Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rangpur divisions may be temporarily flooded until May 20. This poses a threat to public life as well as the agricultural sector. In view of this, the Sherpur District Agriculture Department has urged farmers at the field level to quickly harvest semi-ripe paddy and store it in a safe place to combat the flood. Especially in Nalitabari, Jhenaigati and Sribardi upazilas, it has been advised to harvest more than 95 percent of the paddy that has ripened.
The Agriculture Department said that 90 percent of the district’s paddy harvest has already been completed. It has been advised to harvest the remaining paddy quickly.
The district has been experiencing intermittent rains for the past few days. Due to several bouts of heavy and moderate rains on Monday night and continuous rains in Tura district of Meghalaya state of India, the water levels of the Chellakhali, Bhogai, Maharashi and Someshwari rivers in the district are rising. If the water levels continue to rise like this, the river protection dams may break and overflow, flooding various areas of Jhenaigati and Nalitabari, local people including local representatives have said.
Hurmuz Ali (68), a resident of Sannyasivita village, said, “When clouds fall in India, the Amgar Ganga (river) overflows. Today, the Thaika Ganga is overflowing this morning. The water is also rising. If this rain increases, there will be floods. Then everyone will be in danger.”
Chairman of Dhanshail Union Parishad (UP) in Jhenaigati, Md. Shafiqul Islam, said that the water level of the Someshwari River has started rising since last night. If the water level continues to rise like this and it rains, the river embankment may break and flood the area.
Baghber UP Acting Chairman Nur Alam said, “It has been raining intermittently since morning. The water level in the Chellakhali River is rising due to the rain in India. However, there has been no damage to the river embankment yet. However, if the water level continues to rise, the embankment may break and overflow, causing flooding.”
Jhenaigati Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Ashraful Alam told Prothom Alo that the water level of the Maharashi and Someshwari rivers has increased since last night. After receiving the flood forecast, a warning meeting was held with public representatives and concerned officials in the upazila. The areas adjacent to the river are being monitored.
Nalitabari UNO Farzana Akhter said, “The water level of the two rivers has increased. However, the water level has not reached the point where the dams have broken or overflowed. However, everyone has been asked to be careful.”
Akhinuzzaman, executive engineer of the Sherpur office of PAUBO, told Prothom Alo that the water level of the Chellakhali River in the district is 135 centimeters above the danger level. Due to continuous rains in India, the water level in four rivers of Jhenaigati and Nalitabari upazilas has increased since last night. If the rain continues like this, floods may occur due to the stagnant water. However, if there is no rain, there will be no danger of floods.
Source: Prothom Alo
