Brahmaputra river level may rise: BWDB

Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) fears that incessant rain in hills in Indian regions bordering the northern part of the country may cause river levels to rise on Brahmaputra’s basin in Kurigram.

BWDB sources say Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers may cross the danger level at different points of Sirajganj beside Gaibandha and Kurigram by July 21.

BWDB Executive Engineer in Kurigram, Ariful Islam, said water in the Brahmaputra river might exceed the danger level in a couple of days.

“Water in Chilamari upazila’s Brahmaputra, Teesta and Dharla rivers is still below the danger limit,” he said.

Ariful said analysis of data from the Indian Meteorological Department showed that the water level of Brahmaputra had already gone above the danger limit in Niamti Ghat and Tezpur due to torrential raining.

He feared that the water level might cross the danger limit at Goalpara and Dhubri point of India by Friday. “On the other hand, Brahmaputra water level in Kurigram’s Chilmari point may cross the danger level by Saturday.”  

BWDB Executive Engineer in Bogra, Hasan Mahmud, said water level in the Jamuna river rose to 30 centimetres at Mathurapara point of Bogra’s Sariakandi upazila early on Thursday morning.

He said water in the Jamuna river might flow 50 centimetres above the danger level.  

As the water level rises in the Jamuna river, low-lying char areas have already gone under water.

Locals said the flood-affected people were already rushing to Pakerdah shelter at Kajla union in Sariakandi.