A vast tract of low-lying areas in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia district have been flooded due to the rise in water level of  the Padma River, rendering 40,000 people in Ramkrishnapur and Chilmari unions stranded.

Thirteen government primary schools under the two unions have been shut due to the flood.

According to the Pabna Water Hydrology Division, Padma River is flowing just one centimeter below the danger level at Daulatpur in Kushtia.

Swollen Padma inundates low-lying areas in Rajshahi forcing evacuation

The water level of the Padma River at Hardinge Bridge point rose by 10 centimetres reaching a height of 12.80 metres in the past 24 hours till 9 am on Tuesday. The danger level at this point is 13.80 meters.

As water levels continue to rise, low-lying areas and farmlands along the riverbanks are being inundated.

Besides, residents in four river-adjacent unions remain on high alert for possible flooding.

According to the local agriculture office, some 243 hectares of croplands, including paddy, banana, vegetables, chili and maize, have already been damaged.

Abdul Mannan, Chairman of Chilmari Union Parishad, said, “Water levels are still rising. If this continues, it will start entering people’s homes.”

Zahiduzzaman Zahid, Executive Engineer at the Pabna Water Hydrology Division, said the water level in the Padma is rising daily  but it's unclear how long this trend will continue.