ZCZC
BSS-11
WATER-GANGES-STATIC (with picture)
Water level in Ganges basin continues to rise and fall
RAJSHAHI, Sept 17, 2020 (BSS) – Water levels in many rivers and tributaries
in Ganges basin recorded a rising and falling trend today like the previous
couple of days with a forecast 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 like the previous day, according to the Flood Forecasting and
Warning Centre (FFWC).
However, the rivers were flowing below the danger level at 29 points while
above the danger level at one point today.
Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) recorded a
falling trend in all the three points and remained stable at one point in
Ganges River, while rising trend at all the four points of the Padma River,
Mukhlesur Rahman, Superintending Engineer of BWDB, told BSS this morning.
Besides, the BWDB office recorded both rising and falling trends in other
rivers and tributaries like Korotoa, Atrai and Mohananda of the Ganges basin
today.
Water level in the Korotoa further went up by 12 centimeter (cm) at Chak
Rahimpur, while declined by 10 cm at Bogura points.
The Gur River increased by 8 cm further at Singra in Natore, while the
Atrai River by 8 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 further this morning.
However, the river was still flowing below the danger mark in all six points.
The water level went up by 36 cm at Sariakandi in Bogura, 24 cm at Kazipur
in Sirajganj and 29 cm at Sirajganj point.
The Mahananda River also increased by two cm at Chapainawabganj, while the
Little Jamuna River by 17 cm at Naogaon and the Atrai River went up by 40 cm
at Mohadevpur in Naogaon and six 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 10 points and declined at five other points and remained stable
at one point.
The rivers, however, 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 5,420 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/RY/1258 hrs