Flash flood hits vast lands in Teesta basin

Onrush of water from upstream has submerged a vast tract of croplands in low-lying char areas along Teesta river basin, leaving over 500 families marooned in Sundarganj upazila.

However, water level of Jamuna, Karatoa and Ghaghat rivers was below the danger mark yesterday.

Locals said Aman seedlings on vast tracts of low-lying lands already went under water while many dwelling houses in those areas were submerged in four to six inches water.

Meanwhile, fearing further deterioration of the flood situation, dwellers of the low-lying char areas are looking for alternative shelters for their families along with cattle and poultry birds, they said.

Water level of Teesta has increased by about four-feet in the last 24 hours and might cross the danger mark if the trend continues further ahead, Kapasia Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Jalaluddin said.

Although some of the villagers have started shifting their dwelling houses to safer places, many are still passing their days at their respective homes amid fear of being eroded, the UP chairman said.

“Sudden rise of water in Teesta river has submerged Aman seedlings on my two bighas of land,” farmer Altaf Hossain of Haripur said.

“We thought there will be no flood this year as the rainy season is already over, but unfortunately water from upstream hit the croplands in the low-lying areas,” another farmer Abbas Ali of the area said.

Chairman Jalaluddin said the flash flood has marooned nearly 500 families at a number of villages under his union and if the situation continues more areas may get flooded.

Sundarganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer (PIO) Nurunnabi Sarker said they have already requested the district administration for emergency relief materials and asked the chairmen of the affected unions to monitor the flood situation.

Gaibandha Water Development Board (WDB) Executive Engineer Mahbubur Rahman said it is a usual mid-level flood which will not create any major devastation.