Rising water levels in the Padma, Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers have flooded low-lying areas of Chapainawabganj, leaving around 2,900 families marooned in two upazilas.

The rivers were swelling due to upstream water flow and rainfall, although their levels remained below their respective danger levels.

Data from the Bangladesh Water Development Board's Chapainawabganj office showed that the Padma's water level rose by 7 centimetres in the past 24 hours and was flowing 29 centimetres below the danger mark at 9:00am on Friday.

The Mahananda rose by 10 centimetres and was flowing 1.12 metres below the danger mark, while the Punarbhaba rose by 13 centimetres and was flowing 2.09 metres below the danger level.

Floodwater has inundated roads, homes and educational institutions in some low-lying areas along the Padma in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas.

Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Maruf Afzal Rajon said rising Padma waters have inundated low-lying areas in Narayanpur and Alatuli unions, rendering around 1,100 families stranded.

The administration has allocated 11 tonnes of rice for the affected families, and distribution has already begun, he said.

In Shibganj, 1,800 families in low-lying areas of Panka, Durlabhpur and Uzirpur unions have been marooned, said Mizanur Rahman, project implementation officer of the upazila.

The administration has allocated 18 tonnes of rice for the affected families and distribution is underway, he said.

Chapainawabganj Deputy Commissioner Abu Saleh Md Musa Zangi said around 2,900 families in five unions of the two upazilas have been affected by the rising waters.

"Of them, 1,100 families are in Sadar upazila and 1,800 in Shibganj upazila," he said.

A total of 29 tonnes of rice has been allocated for the affected families, and distribution has begun, the DC said, adding that higher authorities have been informed of the flood situation.

Meanwhile, around 362 hectares of farmland planted with Aus and Aman paddy and vegetables have been submerged in different parts of the district, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.