ZCZC
BSS-39
WATER-GANGES-RECESSION (with picture)
Water level in Ganges basin marks receding trend
RAJSHAHI, Sept 16, 2020 (BSS) – Water levels in many rivers and tributaries in Ganges basin recorded a falling trend today ushering a hope of improving the overall flood situation within the next couple of days.
Of the 30 river points, monitored in the Ganges basin today, water levels increased at eleven points, while receded at 18 points and remained stable at one point, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
However, the rivers were flowing below the danger level at 28 points while above the danger level at two points like the previous couple of days.
Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) recorded rising and falling trends in many rivers, including Korotoa, Atrai, Mohananda, Ganges, Padma and the downstream rivers and tributaries of the Ganges basin today, Mukhlesur Rahman, Superintending Engineer of BWDB, told BSS this morning.
He said water level of the Ganges River further declined by 11 centimeters (cm) at Pankha in Chapainawabganj, eight cm at Rajshahi and five cm each at Hardinge Bridge and at Talbaria points at 9 am today.
Water level in the Korotoa further went up by 18 cm at Chak Rahimpur, while declined by 12 cm at Bogura points.
The Gur River increased by 18 cm further at Singra in Natore, while the Atrai River by one cm at Baghabari in Sirajgonj.
FFWC executive engineer Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan said a rising trend has been recorded at all the six points of the Jamuna River again this morning. However, the river was still flowing below the danger mark in all six points significantly.
The water level went up by 21 cm at Sariakandi in Bogura, 15 cm at Kazipur in Sirajganj and eight cm at Sirajganj point.
The Little Jamuna River also went up by 29 cm at Naogaon, while the Atrai River declined by 26 cm at Mohadevpur in Naogaon and gone up 24 cm at Atrai points this morning.
Of the 16 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra Basins, being monitored in many districts under Rajshahi division regularly, water levels increased at eight points and declined at eight other points.
The rivers were flowing below the danger level in all 16 points this morning.
Meanwhile, the local administrations have been continuously distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas since the flood began.
Around 2.18 lakh flood-affected families consisting 8.72 lakh people have, so far, received relief materials to mitigate their livelihood related hardships, caused by the natural disaster in different districts of Rajshahi division.
As part of its instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the catastrophic situation, the government has, so far, allocated 1,520.5 tons of rice, TK 39.03 lakh in cash, 16,980 packets of dry-food, TK 21 lakh for baby food and TK 40 lakh for animal feed.
Moinul Islam, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division, said distribution of the allocated relief materials among the affected families in the division is in the final stage.
Apart from this, 2,238 tons of rice, TK 36.48 lakh, 3,620 packets of dry food, TK three lakh for baby food and TK five lakh for animal feed remain in stock for distribution.
Simultaneously, the Department of Health has undertaken all possible measures to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases among the flood affected people amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Some 4,951 patients were reported to have suffered from various water-related diseases and 23 people died with flood related incidents, particularly drowning and snakebite since July 1, sources said.
BSS/AH/SKB/1800 hrs