Flash flood maroons 4 lakh in four districts

Incessant downpour coupled with onrush of water from hills further deteriorated the flood situation in Nilphamari, Lamonirhat, Kurigram and Sirajganj on Sunday, rendering more than four lakh people marooned.  

Many homesteads and croplands have been inundated as water levels at the major rivers, including Teesta and Brahmaputra, in the four northern districts marked a sharp rise.  

Many flood-hit people took shelter on high land and river embankments.  

Besides, no classes took place at over 300 primary schools. 

Kurigram is the most affected district where some 2.14 lakh people now remain stranded, according to sources at the deputy commissioner’s office.

“More than 57,000 people have been affected by the flash flood in Sariakandi and Sonatola upazilas,” Raihana Islam, additional deputy commissioner of Bogura, said.

Due to flood, 23 educational institutions have been shut, she added.

They have already supplied 112 tonnes of rice and 2000 packets of dry food to flood-hit people, she also said.

The initial report claimed at least 4 lakh people have been marooned in many char areas of the affected districts. 

Many of them have already shifted their houses to safer places.

Md Kazim Uddin, resident at Bhangorgacha village under Sariakandi upazila of Bogura, said his homestead went under water a week ago. 

He along with his family members and domestic animals took shelter on a boat. 

Now he has been living substandard life for the last two days. 

Executive Engineer of Bogura Water Development Board Hasan Mahmud informed the flood condition will improve after July 20. 

“In Kurigram, Gaibandha and Bogura, the water level of Brahmaputra and Jamuna might rise up to 1 metre above the danger level,” he added.

Executive Engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board Ariful Islam said 177 millimetres of rainfall has been recorded in Teesta barrage area in the morning on Saturday. 

Different areas in India also experienced heavy rainfall on Saturday, which will increase the water level in the Teesta and Brahmaputra river.