Several thousand houses inundated in Kurigram
Several thousand houses have been submerged in Kurigram as the Brahmaputra and Dharla rivers are overflowing.
Cropland and roads of the affected areas have gone under water. As the water level continues to rise, the flood-hit people have started shifting to safe places along with their belongings.
Besides, over 2,000 people have been marooned in 10 villages of three unions in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila due to rising level of the Dharla. Many of them have taken shelter on the Water Development Board (WDB) dyke and roads.
The Brahmaputra was flowing three centimetres above the danger level at Chilmari point in Kurigram yesterday.
The Dharla was flowing 14cm above its danger mark at Dharla bridge point in Kurigram Sadar upazila. The river was overflowing nine centimetres of its danger level at Shimulbari point in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.
Besides, the Teesta was flowing just below the danger mark at Teesta Barrage point in Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha upazila.
The Daily Star was informed about it by WDB officials of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.
Nabir Hossain, 56, a farmer of Char Parbati in Kurigram Sadar upazila, told this paper that Brahmaputra water entered his house yesterday morning. The river water was continuing to rise. They were preparing to move to a safe place, he said.
Mansur Ali, 45, a labourer from Sardob village of the upazila, said he has been staying on a road along with his family for two days. There was three to four feet water inside the house. He fears a devastating flood as the river continues to swell.
Dilbar Rahman, 60, a farmer of Shiberkuti village in Dharla river shoal of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said water from the Dharla flooded his house. They have taken shelter on the WDB embankment. Roads and cropland in the area are now under water, he said.
Ariful Islam, executive engineer of the Kurigram Water Development Board, told this paper that the flood situation could be dire as water level of the Brahmaputra crossed the danger mark.
Water of all rivers in this region falls into the Brahmaputra. But if the Brahmaputra was overflowing, its capacity of holding water decreases and it causes other rivers to swell. Water in the Brahmaputra could rise further in the next 24 hours, he said.
In Tangail, water of the Jamuna is rising, leaving many people adjacent to the river marooned.
Mohammad Sirajul Islam, executive engineer of WDB in Tangail, said due to heavy rain, water level of the river at Tangail point rose 15cm above the danger mark yesterday.
He also said according to weather forecast, water will continue to rise till tomorrow and new places in the river area will be inundated.
[Our correspondents in Lalmonirhat and Tangail contributed to this report.]
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