Water levels in rivers, including the Dharla and Baromasi, have started to increase in Kurigram, combined with upstream water flows leaving riverside communities worried following the heavy rainfall over the past few days.
According to the local Water Development Board (WDB), Dharla river is currently flowing slightly below danger level but the charlands and low-lying areas along its banks are already inundated.
Local farmers said that paddy and other crops are being submerged, leaving them concerned over the potential losses.
Residents said that even if the water recedes quickly, the submerged crops would still be damaged.
“It is hard to predict when the river will rise or fall. Almost two bighas of my paddy field have already been submerged,” said Ashraful Islam of Sonaikazi area under Phulbari upazila.
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Expressing concern over the flooding, Abdul Hossain, another farmer, said since Monday morning the Dharla river water has been rising suddenly due to continuous upstream flows. If this continues, flooding will be inevitable and riverside people will be in danger.
Raqibul Hasan, executive engineer of Kurigram WDB, warned that over the next two days water levels in the Dharla, Teesta, and Dudhkumari rivers may rise steadily, submerging the district’s low-lying areas.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and urging residents to stay alert, he added.