Fear of flash flood looms

Due to heavy rainfall over the past four days and an onrush of hilly waters from across the Indian border, the Chellakhali river in Sherpur was flowing 106 centimetres above the danger level yesterday morning, according to the Water Development Board.

Md Akhinuzzaman, executive engineer of the board's Sherpur office, said the river had already reached 128 centimetres above the danger level around 6:00pm yesterday afternoon.

"All rivers in Sherpur, including the Bhugai, are swelling due to continuous rain and the influx of upstream water," he added.

Local residents remain on high alert as fears of a flash flood grow, especially if the water levels continue to rise.

Mohammad Shakhauat Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Sherpur, said nearly 94 percent of Boro paddy has been harvested so far.

"We have advised farmers to harvest their remaining crops as soon as possible to minimise potential losses," he added.