Swelling rivers in northern Bangladesh give rise to fears of floods

The rivers Brahmaputra, Ghaghot and Teesta have continued rising due to the flow of water from the upstream, sparking fears of floods in the northern districts.

The Brahmaputra was flowing three centimetres above the danger level on Sunday, Gaibandha Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mahbubur Rahman told bdnews24.com.

The rising water was causing soil erosion at Fulchharhi and Sundarganj Upazilas, according to Mahbubur.

The Ghaghot was flowing 23 centimetres below the danger level at the dam to save Gaibandha town, while the Karotoa was 174 centimetres below the danger level at Katakhali in Gobindaganj and the Teesta 129 centimetres below the level at Goaler Ghat in Sundarganj, according to the board.

Engineer Mahbubur fears that the water level of the rivers will rise further.

The rising waters submerged roads in many low-lying areas, Sundarganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer Nurunnabi Sarkar said.

As many as 575 families lost their homes to soil erosion at Kapasia, Haripur, Belka and Chandipur unions in past two weeks due to the rise in water levels, according to the official.

Rice seed beds and vegetable fields in the shoal areas have gone under water, Fulchharhi Upazila Project Implementation Officer Shahiduzzaman Shamim said.

The river bank erosion has rendered a total of 200 families homeless due at Kanchiparha, Fazlupur and Gazaria unions, the official said.