Photo:BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 15, 2025 (BSS) - Another 100 families, severely affected by 
flooding in the Padma River, were provided with relief materials to mitigate 
their hardships. 
 
The relief distribution took place this morning in Diar Khidirpur, Char 
Khanpur and Char Lotabona under Paba upazila of the district. The materials 
were transported and distributed by boat due to inundated roads. 

Each of the affected families were given 14 kilograms of relief materials 
today. 
 
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Arafat Aman Zaman, accompanied by Project 
Implementation Officer Engineer Abu Bashir and Acting Chairman of Harian 
Union Parishad Saber Ali, handed over the relief goods to the flood-affected 
people.
 
Speaking on the occasion, UNO Arafat Aman Zaman said the present interim 
government is deeply committed to reducing the sufferings of the flood 
victims and has taken various need-based initiatives to support them during 
this crisis.

Earlier, 200 affected families were given relief materials at the same area 
on Wednesday last.
 
Meanwhile, the floods marooned around 4,500 families in law-lying areas under 
Paba, Godagari and Bagha upazilas of the district.

Sources concerned said the flood-affected areas include Char Asadiadaha in 
Godagari upazila, Char Mazar Diar, Char Khidirpur, and Diar Khidirpur under 
Paba upazila, and Char Alaipur and Gargari under Bagha upazila.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), as of 6am on 
Friday, the water level in the Padma stood at 17.49 metres, just 0.56 metres 
below the danger mark of 18.05 metres.
 
The onrush of upstream water has inundated croplands and dwelling houses, 
creating immense difficulties for the affected families who are also 
struggling to manage their domestic animals and household belongings.
 
Chairman Saber Ali noted that floodwaters have reached the doorsteps of many 
homes, prompting evacuations from the river islands (chars) to safer inland 
locations. Managing livestock during the relocation remains a major concern 
for many families.
 
 
BWDB officials have temporarily suspended access to the T-groin area along 
the city protection embankment and instructed traders and others to vacate 
vulnerable points as a precautionary measure.

Local residents are struggling to cope with the situation. Masud Rana, a 
villager from Char Khidirpur, said, "Our area is completely submerged, and 
managing domestic animals has become a major challenge."
 
Another resident, Abdur Raquib, said they have started relocating valuables 
by boat to safer areas.
 
In Rajshahi city, several neighborhoods, including Talaimari, Kazla, 
Panchabati, Pathanpara, Lalon Shah Muktamancha, and Srirampur have been 
affected by flooding, forcing residents to evacuate.
 
Large portions of Char Khidirpur and Khanpur, near the Indian border, have 
gone underwater while the entire Char Mazar Diar island is now fully 
submerged. Many displaced residents have taken temporary shelter along the 
city embankment with their livestock.
 
In Chapainawabganj district, around 8,000 families in Shibganj and 
Chapainawabganj Sadar upazilas have been marooned by floodwaters.
 
Shibganj UNO Azahar Ali reported that nearly 7,500 people in Paka, Ujirpur, 
and Durlavpur unions were stranded. Chapainawabganj Sadar UNO Nurul Islam 
said about 500-700 families in Narayanpur and Alatuli unions have also been 
affected.
 
Both UNOs confirmed that relief efforts are ongoing through respective Union 
Parishads (UPs).
 
BWDB Executive Engineer Arifur Rahman Ankur stated there is no immediate 
apprehension of a major flood and preparations are in place to tackle any 
unforeseen situation.