Water level in rivers around Dhaka rising

With flood situation deteriorating in the north, the water level in the rivers around the capital has started to increase, though it is still flowing below the danger level.

Obaidur Masum Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 15 August 2017, 04:34 PM
Updated : 15 August 2017, 04:34 PM

The water level in Buriganga, Balu, Turag, Sitalakya, Dhalaswari, Kaliganga and in Tongi canal registered a rise, of which Kaliganga recorded a 25-cm rise in last 24 hours, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre or FFWC.

"These rivers are now flowing below the danger level, but if the rising trend continues they will cross the danger limit within 3 to 4 days," said an FFWC official.

"The river Jamuna is flowing over the danger levels in many points. This will rush to rivers around the capital after flooding the north and central region," FFWC executive engineer Sazzad Hossain said, adding, "this is the reason the water level in these areas will rise in 3 to 4 days".

He told bdnews24.com that "the Jamuna at Bahadurabad point crossed the danger limit. Those water will come towards the central region increases the risk of flooding."

This is the second spell of flooding this year in which more than 600,000 people in 20 districts in the north of the country are affected.

The water from the north would reach the Bay of Bengal through Meghna river, so there is danger of flooding in Dhaka, Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Narayanganj, Narshingdi and adjoining areas.

According to FFWC, the Buriganga in Dhaka registered a rise of 20cm in last 24 hours. Moreover, Balu in Demra point 12cm, Sitalakhya in Narayanganj 11cm, Turag in Mirpur 8cm and the water level in Tongi canal recorded a rise of 5cm during that period.

The Kaliganga at Taraghat point rose by 25cm, Dhalesweri at Jagir point 19cm and Rikabi bazar point 6cm, and Bangshi river increased by 8cm in Nayarhat point.

The FFWC official said that the Buriganga was still flowing 138cm below the danger level.

All other rivers were still under the danger level, but FFWC said the onrush of water from central region coupled with rains might burst the banks of those rivers.