Jamuna swells rapidly

The Jamuna has been swelling rapidly over the last one week and has drowned low-laying areas in Sirajganj, threatening flash floods in the district.

Due to the water pressure, a portion of the flood protection embankment at the district's Simla area has been damaged.

According to the Water Development Board (WBD), the increased pressure of water was due to the onslaught water from upstream as a post-Amphan effect. Officials however said the situation is likely to come under control within the next few days.

Jamuna was flowing about 12.25 meters at the hard point of Sirajganj yesterday morning, increasing the water level to 4.23 meters over one week after the cyclone. The water level is increasing rapidly now and the water level is just 1.10 meters below the danger level, WDB sources said.

"The water level was recorded at 8.02 meter at the hard point of the Jamuna at the district headquarter on May 22. The water level is now 12.25 meter at the same point," KM Rafikul Islam, deputy divisional engineer of Sirajganj WDB, told the Daily Star.

Due to the immense pressure of water, the 20-meter flood protection embankment was damaged yesterday, as the spars of the embankment have eroded in the river, Rafikul said, adding that water development workers are trying to restore the affected area.

The water level will be increasing over the next two or three days, after which it will decrease again, he said, adding that there is nothing to be worried about.

"After Amphan, water level has increased in the upstream of Jamuna and Brammaputra at the hill slopes of Assam. Due to the onslaught water from upstream, water level is increasing in Jamuna in Sirajganj," he said, adding, "This, however, is a temporary problem. The flood forecasting centre has assured that the water level would start decreasing in a day or two."

Due to the increasing water level, paddy, jute and other crops in over 20 unions of the five upazilas have been inundated.

Low laying areas of Sonatani, Jalalpur, Koujuri of Shahzadpur upazila, Kawakola, Mechra of Sirajganj Sadar upazila, Khasrajbari, Maizbari, Tekani, Natuarpara, Char-Girish and Nishchintopur of Kazipur upazila, Sthal, Ghorzan and Sadiachandpur of Chowhali upazila have been submerged.

The Agriculture Extension Department (AED), however, said the cultivated land have been submerged but the extent of the damage could not yet be confirmed.

"Jute land of about 90 acres, 50 acres other crops, and 580 acres of vegetable field have reportedly been damaged. But the total loss will be found after the water recedes," said Md Habibul Haque, deputy director of Sirajganj AED.

On the 1.41 lakh hectares of land on which Boro is being cultivated, 71 percent of the paddy was harvested last week, he said, adding that the sudden increase in water level is nothing to worry about as the farmers are harvesting in the water.

If the water decreases within a week, there will be no harm caused to the Boro crop, Habibul said.