ZCZC
BSS-46
FLOOD-SITUATION LEAD
Flood situation improves in Brahmaputra basin
DHAKA, July 30, 2020 (BSS) – Despite sporadic riverbank erosion in different places along the major rivers in northern districts, flood situation improved in Brahmaputra basin today.
According to the officials at Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), water levels of the major rivers in the basin marked further fall during the last 24 hours ending 9 am today, but those were still flowing above the danger marks at eight points in five northern districts.
They said the flood situation is likely to improve further in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Bogura, Jamalpur and Sirajganj districts during the next 24 hours.
The BWDB officials said the Dharla River was flowing 20 cm above the danger level at Kurigram, while Ghagot River 26 cm above at Gaibandha and Brahmaputra 19 cm above at Chilmari point in Kurigram at 9 am today.
Besides, the Jamuna River was still flowing 47 cm above the danger level at Fulchhari point, 58 cm at Bahadurabad point, 67 cm at Sariakandi point, 48 cm at Kazipur point and 47 cm at Sirajganj point at 9 am today.
BWDB executive engineer for its Kurigram division Ariful Islam said riverbank protection works continue at some vulnerable points in these districts.
The BWDB is conducting riverbank protection works at other places alongside the major rivers in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Jamalpur, Bogura and Sirajganj districts.
Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said incidents of sporadic riverbank erosion were reported from few places alongside major rivers with the recession of floodwaters.
“However, all flood control embankments and structures of BWDB remain safe following appropriate steps and early preparedness taken in Rangpur zone,” he added.
BSS Rajshahi correspondent adds: The ongoing flood continues to deteriorate in Ganges basin, wreaking havoc on croplands.
Standing crops on about 34,342 hectares of lands were inundated by the floodwaters in different districts under Rajshahi division till Wednesday last, said officials of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).
Various crops like newly transplanted Aus and Aman paddy, Aman seedbeds, direct seeded Aman, betel leaf, sugarcane and vegetables were affected badly due to overflowing of floodwater in different areas.
About 7,51,152 people of 1,87,788 families were marooned due to the ongoing flooding in Rajshahi division.
In Sirajganj, over five lakh people were affected by the deluge in around 1,028-kilometre low-lying areas.
About 1.33 lakh people in 167 villages were affected by the floodwater in Bogura district, while 18,968 families were affected in 17 unions of Manda, Atrai, Raninagar, Naogaon Sadar, Porsha, Sapahar and Mohadevpur upazilas in Naogaon.
In Manikganj, the overall flood situation remained stable as the water of the Jamuna and the Kaliganga rivers continue to fall.
The BWDB officials said water levels in Jamuna and Kaliganga decreased slightly in the past 24 hours and the falling trend may continue.
About 70,917 families in the district were marooned and the crops of 31,577 hectares were inundated.
BSS/CORRS/MRI/SH/2021 HRS