ZCZC
BSS-50
FLOOD-SITUATION-LEAD
Brahmaputra swells up again, Ganges remains steady
DHAKA, Sept 7, 2020 (BSS) – Water levels of major rivers in the Brahmaputra basin are increasing again due to the onrush of hilly water from the upstream, while the Ganges River remained steady today.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system is in rising trend and it may continue to go up in the next 48 hours, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said in a bulletin issued this morning.
The Ganges-Padma rivers are in steady state, which may remain the same in the next 24 hours.
The FFWC forecast that except the Kushiyara, the major rivers of the upper Meghna basin in the country’s north-eastern region are in rising trend, which may continue to rise in the next 24 hours.
All the major rivers of the country are flowing below their respective danger levels, the bulletin said.
Water levels of major rivers in the Brahmaputra basin started rising again because of the onrush of hilly water from the upper catchment in India, BSS Rangpur correspondent reports.
Officials of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said water levels of major rivers might continue to rise during the next 48 hours in the basin, while the Teesta and Dharla may cross their respective danger marks during the period.
The northern Bangladesh and adjoining northeastern Indian state of Assam in the Brahmaputra basin witnessed a heavy precipitation during the last 24 hours, according to the FFWC.
About 121 mm rainfall was recorded at Cherrapunji, while 54 mm at Gangtok, 41 mm at Jalpaiguri of India during the last 24 hours ending 9 am today.
Official data showed that 85 mm rainfall was recorded at Chilmari, while 70 mm at Dalia, 90 mm at Gaibandha, 75 mm at Dewanganj, 100 mm at Jamalpur and 86 mm at Sirajganj during the period.
Water levels of the Dharla River increased by 62 cm at Kurigram point, while Ghagot River water level by 13 cm at Gaibandha point, and Brahmaputra by 29 cm at Noonkhawa point and 21 cm at Chilmari point.
The water level of the Teesta River increased by 32 cm at Kawnia point today.
Besides, water levels of the Jamuna rose by 27 cm at Fulchhari point in Gaibandha, 15 cm at Bahadurabad point in Jamalpur, 7 cm at Sariakandi point in Bogura and 3 cm at Kazipur point in Sirajganj during the period.
However, the major rivers were flowing much below their respective danger marks in the Brahmaputra basin.
Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Jyoti Prosad Ghosh said water levels of the Dharla, Teesta, Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers may continue to rise further during the next 48 hours.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and ready to take immediate steps to repair any damage of flood control structures on an emergency basis anywhere in Rangpur division,” he said.
However, he said, there is no possibility of another flooding this season in the Brahmaputra basin.
BSS Rajshahi correspondent adds: The overall flood situation in the Ganges basin remained steady today although water level of its rivers and tributaries were recorded both declining and rising trends.
Of the 30 river points monitored in the Ganges basin today, water levels receded at 20 points, while increased at eight points and remained steady at two points, according to the FFWC data.
Both rising and falling trends were recorded in many rivers, including Atrai, Mohananda, Ganges, Padma and the downstream rivers and tributaries of the Ganges basin today, said BWDB superintending engineer Mukhlesur Rahman.
He said the water level of the Ganges River increased by three cm afresh at Pankha point in Chapainawabganj, while declined by two cm at Rajshahi and one cm at Talbaria point and remained steady at Hardinge Bridge point at 9 am today.
Mukhlesur said the Ganges River was still flowing 208 cm, 220 cm, 157 cm and 130 cm below the danger level at Pankha, Rajshahi, Hardinge Bridge and Talbaria points respectively.
Water level of the Padma River declined by one cm further at Goalundo point and it was flowing 45 cm below the danger level at the point this morning, he added.
Water level of the Korotoa River went up by 23 cm afresh at Chak Rahimpur point, while declined by 11 cm at Bogura point. The river was flowing 251 cm and 371 cm below the danger level respectively this morning.
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