Swathes of cropland flooded in 4 districts

The water levels of the Jamuna, Teesta and Dharla rivers have risen due to the heavy rainfall in the last few days, inundating many areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, and Kurigram.

Needless to say, the crisis is taking a heavy toll on the people living in the districts amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Water level of the Teesta once again crossed the danger mark yesterday, submerging four upazilas -- Dimla and Jaldhaka, Aditmari and Hatibandha -- in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.

The river first crossed the danger mark this year June 20.

At least five hundred families in Thakurgaon's Sadar and Ranisankail upazilas have been marooned as the increased water of Tangon and Kulik rivers have engulfed their villages.

According to the bulletin yesterday issued by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), areas under Jamuna basin in the northern districts and areas under Meghna basin in Sylhet region will be inundated as water levels of all major rivers in these two basins, including the Jamuna, Teesta, Dharla, Sari and Gowain rivers are increasing.

"Water level of the Jamuna will continue to increase until the first week of July and it will take another week to recede the water," said Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer at FFWC.

The flood situation has been worsened due to the torrential rain in the northern districts and the areas across the border in the last 24 hours.

Assistant Engineer Aminur Rashid of hydrology department at the Water Development Board in Rangpur said, the Teesta was flowing 20 centimetres above the danger mark at Dalia point near Teesta barrage.

People in these areas have taken shelter in high and safe places with their cattle and furniture, he said.

Our correspondents from Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon contributed to this report.