Padma River water exceeds danger level, flooding low-lying areas

The river is flowing 7 cm above the danger level at Goalanda Point in Rajbari, the Faridpur Water Development Board says

The water level of the Padma River in Faridpur and Rajbari has surpassed the danger mark at the Goalanda Point due to runoff from upstream and water from the Jamuna River. Several new areas in the region have been inundated due to the swelling of the river over the last two days.

The water of the Padma rose by 7 cm in the past 24 hours and the river is flowing 7.97 cm above the danger level, said Partha Pratim Saha, executive engineer for the Faridpur Water Development Board.

The water flooded low-lying areas in nine unions in four Upazilas in Faridpur as the Padma has surged over the past two days. Low-lying regions in Rajbari’s Goalanda Upazila have also been inundated.

Cropland has been flooded in these areas. The residents of Char areas and along the river banks are facing difficulties commuting. Farmers are facing losses as jute, nut, sesame and paddy fields are waterlogged.

The Faridpur district administration has directed public representatives and executive officers at the Upazilas along the river banks to remain alert on the flood situation.

Tuhin Mondol, chairman of Char Madhabdia Union in Faridpur Sadar Upazila, said the farmland in most areas in his union have been deluged as the water level of the Padma River rose. Many farmers are trying to harvest jute out of fear that their land will be submerged.

In addition, nut and sesame fields have been completely inundated, he said.

WDB Executive Engineer Saha said the region began to see a rise in water levels due to runoff from upstream and water from the Jamuna River.

He said the water may rise for several more days but the flooding will not cause significant damage except to those people living along the river banks and Char areas.