United News of Bangladesh

Persistent rainfall in different parts of the country has triggered risk of flashfloods as major rivers in several divisions may swell, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warned on Wednesday. The water levels of several rivers in Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Barishal, and Khulna divisions are expected to rise over the next few days, it said. In the next two days, water levels of the rivers of Chattogram including the Halda, Muhuri, and Feni are likely to rise. “Droughts, Floods and Fault Lines”: Conference on Climate Security in South Asia held The Muhuri River may cross the danger level during this period that may cause flashfloods in the low-lying areas adjacent to the Muhuri River in Feni district. The FFWC also forecasts a fall in water levels of these rivers after the next one day. Besides,  in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, rivers including the Surma, Jadukata, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, and Kushiyara are likely to see rising water levels over the next three days. 'Life-threatening cold' hits parts of US following deadly weekend flooding Some of these rivers may cross danger levels which could trigger flashfloods in low-lying areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona districts. In Rangpur division, Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers are also expected to rise in the next three days, with the Teesta possibly nearing the danger level. Tidal water in the coastal rivers of Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions may remain higher than normal over the next two days commencing on Thursday, the FFWC added. Though the water levels of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are decreasing, they are expected to rise again over the next three days. However, they are likely to remain below danger levels.  

Crops on around 8,027 hectares of land have been damaged due to the recent floods in Kurigram district. Crops worth Tk 127 crore have been damaged, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) . According to Kurigram DAE, in nine upazilas of the district, 80,000 farmers have been affected by the recent floods. Mofizal Haque, a farmer Sadar upazila, said the seedbeds that he prepared have been washed away. “I am preparing new seedbeds again. I have no way to recoup these losses,” he said. The damaged crops in the district include Aman seedbed, jute, Aush paddy, sesame, vegetables, peanuts, banana, corn, chili, ginger, turmeric and lentil. Read: Satkhira flood washes away Tk8.28 crore worth of fish, crab, shrimp Around 312 hectares of Aman seedbed, 2,500 hectares of Aush, 3,800 hectares of jute, 114 hectares of sesame, 1,600 hectares of vegetables and 18 hectares of quinoa have been damaged in floodwaters. The Agriculture Ministry has provided Aman seeds and fertilizers to 7,000 farmers in the district. Nikhil Chandra, another farmer of the area, said, “No matter how hard it is, we have to plant paddy again with a loan.” Kurigram DAE Deputy Director (Acting) Md Samsuddin Mia said they have provided seedlings and fertilizers to the farmers and some have already planted seedlings in the field.