Thousands marooned in Manikganj as river water continues to rise

Low-lying areas of Manikganj have been inundated as water of all rivers, including Padma and Jamuna, in the district continues to rise due to incessant rainfall for the last few days and the onrush of water from upstream, marooning several thousand families in three upazilas of Manikganj.

People living in Daulatpur, Shibalay and Harirampur upazilas of Manikganj have been affected as the water of Jamuna river crossed the danger level since yesterday afternoon, reports our Manikganj correspondent.

Various roads, ghats and crop lands have been submerged and people finding it hard to move around, the correspondent added quoting sources of Manikganj Water Development Board (WDB) and local union parishads.

Faruk Hossain, a gauge reading staff of Water Development Board, said the water level of Jamuna river increased four cm at Aricha Point in the last 24 hours (from 3pm on Monday to 3pm on Tuesday).

The river water has been flowing above the danger level of nine cm, he added.

According to WDB, the water level of Jamuna in Daulatpur and Padma in Harirampur is increasing at an unusually high rate due to the onrush of water from upstream and heavy downpour.

Muhammad Abdul Latif, deputy commissioner of Manikganj said the district administration has taken adequate preparation to deal with the flood situation. The shelter centers have been kept ready and a list of likely victims is being prepared.