Erosion fear grips Sirajganj residents as Jamuna rises

There is no cause for panic at present, an engineer from the Water Development Board says

The Jamuna River in Sirajganj is swelling rapidly due to the onrush of water from the upstream and heavy rainfall.

Since Tuesday morning, the river water has been rising by 2cm per hour, triggering fears of the river bursting its banks and inundating low-lying areas in the district.

According to Nazmul Hossain, sub-divisional engineer of the Sirajganj Water Development Board (WDB), the water level began to climb on Sunday.

Farmers in the region are concerned that their crops may be submerged due to erosion.

Nazmul said that the Jamuna River at the Kazipur point suddenly rose by 75cm at 6am on Tuesday, flowing 194cm below the danger level. At the hard point area, the water level rose by 64cm, flowing 170cm below the safety level.

He also noted that the water has continued to increase by 2cm per hour since 6am.

Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of the Sirajganj WDB, said despite the unusual rate of increase in the Jamuna's water, there is no need to panic.

"The water may continue to rise for another day or two. However, there is no risk of flooding in this situation," he added.