Flooding worsens in Naogaon, dams at risk

Dams in Naogaon have given way to floodwaters and more dams are likely to be breached as flooding worsens.

Floods have marooned or displaced 250,000 people in the district. Water is entering the district town through outlets in flood defences.

Most areas of the town, including the Degree Intersection, the deputy commissioner’s home, the residence of the superintendent of police, the district administration guesthouse and Biam School and College are currently under one-and-a-half feet of water.

Dams are breached in more than 100 villages across the district, said Deputy Commissioner Md Aminur Rahman following an inspection. Floods damaged at least 50,000 acres of crops and washed away fish in almost 1,000 ponds.

Rahman said he had seen water breaching dams in many areas. Ten villages were flooded near the Dhamirhat border after the Atrai River broke through dams in the area, he said. Five villages in Shapahar were also flooded after the Punarbhaba River overflowed.

There is concern that many other dams in the district may be breached, according to Water Development Board Executive Engineer Anwar Hossain.

Water in the Atrai River is currently 214cm above the danger level, while the Chhoto Jamuna’s level is 70cm above the danger line.

“Thirty points in embankments in Naogaon Sadar, Manda, Mohadebpur, Raninagar and Atrai are at risk due to the strong current,” Hossain said.

Five shelters have been opened in flood-affected areas, the deputy commissioner said. Fifteen more will be opened. The local administration allocated Tk 500,000 and 100 tonnes of rice to relief efforts. Tk 100,000 and 33 tonnes of rice have been distributed.