ZCZC
BSS-06
GANGES-RIVERS-SWELL (with picture)
Rivers in Ganges basin continues swelling
RAJSHAHI, Sept 28, 2020 (BSS) – Water level in most of the rivers and tributaries in the Ganges basin recorded a continuous rising trend for the last couple of days because of onrushing of floodwater from the upstream hilly catchment areas.
Of the 30 river points, monitored in the Ganges basin today, water levels increased at 20 points, while receded at nine points and remained stable at another point, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
However, the rivers were still flowing below the danger level at 25 points, while above the danger level at five other points today.
Local office of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) recorded a rising trend at all the eight points in the Ganges and the Padma Rivers today for the second consecutive day, Mukhlesur Rahman, Superintending Engineer of BWDB, told BSS.
Water level in the Ganges River further went up by 30 centimeter (cm), 21 cm, 17 cm and 11 cm at Pankha in Chapainawabganj, at Rajshahi, at Hardinge Bridge and at Talbaria points respectively.
Water level in the Korotoa further rose by 49 cm at Chak Rahimpur, while declined by three cm at Bogura points afresh.
FFWC Executive Engineer Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan said a rising trend has been recorded at four points, while falling ones at two other points of the Jamuna River afresh this morning.
The Jamuna River went up by four cm and two cm at Sariakandi in Bogura and at Kazipur in Sirajganj points respectively, while remaining stable at Sirajganj point. The river was still flowing seven cm above the danger level at Sariakandi point this morning.
The Gur River further increased by 11 cm in its Shingra point in Natore flowing 81 cm above the danger mark. The Atrai River went up by two cm at Baghabari in Sirajganj this morning.
The Mahananda River also increased by 26 cm and 10 cm at Rohanpur and at Chapainawabganj points respectively. The Little Jamuna went up by 18 cm at Naogaon point. Besides, the Atrai River increased by 40 cm at Mohadevpur in Naogaon, while 15 cm at Atrai point 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 14 points, while declined at one point and remained stable at another point.
The rivers were flowing below the danger level in 11 points, while above the danger mark at another five points this morning.
Meanwhile, the local administration has been continuously distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas since the flood began.
More than 2.19 lakh families consisting of around 9.86 lakh people in different districts of the division affected badly by the flood have, so far, been given relief materials to overcome their livelihood related hardships.
As part of its instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the catastrophic situation, the government has, by now, allocated 1,679.1 tonnes of rice, Taka 43.55 lakh in cash, 20,380 packets of dry-food, Taka 23 lakh for baby food and Taka 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 on final stage.
Apart from this, 2,260.9 tonnes of rice, Taka 31.10 lakh, 2,220 packets of dry food, Taka three lakh for baby food and Taka 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 amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Some 5,863 patients were reported to have suffered from various water-related diseases and 25 people died with flood related incidents, particularly drowning and snakebite since July 1, sources said.
BSS/AH/MR/GMR/1335 hrs