DHAKA, July 8, 2020 (BSS) – Water levels of major rivers in northern Brahmaputra and northeastern Meghna basins may rise quickly in the next 72 hours as both Bangladesh and Indian meteorological offices predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall during that period in the two regions in Bangladesh and adjoining Indian northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
A latest bulletin of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) said today water levels of Brahmaputra-Jamuna, Dharala and Teesta in northern region and major rivers in northeastern upper Meghna basin may rise rapidly in next 72 hours due to heavy to very heavy rainfalls during that period as per the numerical weather model of the met offices of the two neighboring countries.
It said the flood situation may improve in three northwestern districts of Natore, Naogaon and Sirajganj in Brahmaputra basin and two central districts of Rajbari and Tangail in Padma basin in the next 24-hours.
Water levels of river Gages in Ganges-Padma basin remain static and Padma was in reducing trend in the last 24 hours till 9am today and it may continue in the next 48 hours.
Rivers in upper Meghna or Surma-Kushiyara in reducing trend till 9am today but it may rise in the next 24 hours while water levels of Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin marked fall till 9am today and it may continue in the next 24 hours, said the bulletin.
According to FFWC, the recorded rainfalls were 80 millimeters at Gaibandha, 58mm at Rajshahi, 57mm at Lalakhal, 54mm at Maheshkhola and 50mm at Latu station in the last 24 hours till 9am today in the downstream.
In the upstream in the Indian northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura, no rainfall was recorded during that period.
The Metrological Department predicted light to moderate rain is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country in the next 24 hours till 9am on tomorrow (Thursday).
It added that the rainfall activity may continue in the next 72 hours.
The axis of monsoon trough runs through Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gangetic West Bengal thence Northeastwards Assam across Southern part of the country while monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay, it said.
Water levels were flowing above danger marks (DM) at 6 points – 4 in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin, one in Padma and one other in Meghna basin till 9am today while water levels at 71 river stations out of total 101, monitored by FFWC, marked a fall while 28 stations recorded a rise and two others remained steady during that period.
Padma was flowing 01cm above its DM at Goalondo point with an 18cm fall while water levels of river marked a 12cm fall at Chandpur point flowing 13cm above its DM and Dhaleshwari marked a 16cm fall at Elasin point in Tangail flowing 06cm above its DM.
Our Rangpur Office Reports: sporadic incidents of riverbank erosion have been reported as the flood situation improved further during the last 24 hours ending at 9am today with continuous fall in water levels of the major rivers in the Brahmaputra basin.
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said the major rivers were flowing below the danger marks (DMs) at all 10 major monitoring points in seven affected northern districts where most of the displaced people returned homes.
Meanwhile, the district administrations have further intensified relief activities in the flood affected areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura and Sirajganj districts in the Brahmaputra basin.
Talking to BSS today, Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said incidents of sporadic riverbank erosion have been reported from around 50 points alongside the major rivers in Kurigram, Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat districts.
“All flood control embankments and structures are remaining safe in the flood-hit districts under the BWDB’s Rangpur zone where riverbank protection works continuing at 21 points and the same will begin at other vulnerable points soon,” he said.
Following further sharp falls in their water levels, the Brahmaputra was flowing below the DMs by 56cm at Noonkhawa and 41cm at Chilmari while Dharla by 33cm at Kurigram and Ghaghot by 47cm at Gaibandha points at 9 am today.
The Jamuna was flowing below the DMs by 13cm at Fulchhari, 24cm at Bahadurabad, 25cm at Sariakandi, 23cm at Kazipur and 28cm at Sirajganj points while the Teesta was flowing below the DM by 20cm at Dalia point in Nilphamari at 9 am today.
Talking to BSS, Executive Engineer of BWDB for Kurigram and Lalmonirhat divisions Ariful Islam said riverbank protection works are continuing at 15 points and will begin very soon at some other 19 vulnerable points in these two district.
Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman for Gaibandha division of BWDB said riverbank protection works are continuing in full swing at six points and will begin the same at eight other points soon alongside the major rivers in the district.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) for Kurigram Dilip Kumar Saha said 400 tonnes of rice and Taka 36.50 lakh are being distributed among 1.22 lakh flood-hit people of 16,100 families in the district.
“We have adequate stocks of newly allocated 200 tonnes of government rice and Taka five lakh,” Saha said.
Gaibandha DRRO Mokhlesur Rahman said distribution of 200 tonnes of rice and Taka 13 lakh continues among 3.25 lakh flood-hit people of the district and received more 200 tonnes of more rice and Taka five lakh for the purpose.
Similarly, the government continues relief activities in the other flood-affected districts where normalcy started returning with continuous improvement of the flood situation.
Divisional Commissioner KM Tariqul Islam said most of the displaced people returned homes and the district administrations are distributing relief goods, baby foods, animal fodders and cash money among the flood-hit people of the affected districts.
Besides, the overall flood situation further improved in the district with the continuous recession of water level in the river Jamuna.
Dewanganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Razia Sultana said all the eight unions of the upazila were badly affected by the flood and shortly after receding flood water many people started to return home with their belongings.
Besides, the relief operation is continued in the flood affected areas, she said.
During the last 24 hours Jamuna dropped by 16 cm and was flowing 26 cm below the red mark (19.50 meter) at Bahadurabad ghat point at 12 this noon.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Office sources said the flood hit in the district on June 27 and affected over three lakh 96 thousand 744 people of 49 unions in all the seven upazilas of the district.
Civil Surgeon, Dr Pronoy Kanti Das said 80 medical teams are working in the flood affected areas.