Water levels in the Jamuna River continue to rise in Sirajganj due to downhill torrents and heavy rainfall. As a result, several low-lying areas and crop fields along the banks of the Jamuna were submerged. Over the past 24 hours, the water level in the Jamuna has risen by 16cm - although currently flowing 1.22 meters below the danger level. According to the local Water Development Board, the steady rise in water levels is caused by the ongoing hill torrents and repeated rainfall. Crops such as transplanted aman paddy, black gram (kalai), and peanuts have already been affected. Additionally, early winter vegetables and chili fields have also been flooded. Flood in northeastern districts claims 10 lives, affects 2.38 lakh people: Ministry Residents along the Jamuna River are concerned about potential flooding due to the unusual water rise. However, Nazmul Hossain, the Sub-Divisional Engineer (Headquarters) of the local Water Development Board, said that although the water levels may continue to increase for another couple of days, there is no immediate threat of flooding.

The construction work of a 6 kilometre long permanent embankment supported by GO bags on the left side of the erosion-prone Jamuna River to protect residents of two upazilas in Tangail and Manikganj was inaugurated on  Saturday. Thousands of people living in Salimabad, Balarampur and Nischintapur areas under Nagarpur upazila of Tangail district and Charkatari areas under Daulatpur upazila in Manikganj will get relief of the river erosion if the construction work of the dam is fully completed. International  Oceanography Conference underway in Cox's Bazar, ends today State minister for commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu inaugurated the construction work, under 'Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (Project-02)' of the Ministry of Water Resources, at Nishchintapur Bazar end of the river. Warning of strict action against those who will commit irregularities in building the embankment, Titu thanked the authorities concerned for chalking up the initiative to save thousands of lives and properties from the erosion. He said the construction work of the dam started through dumping GO bags in the river while CC blocks will be developed later. Prepare action plan to bring fallow land under cultivation: Agri Minister Lands of many people may be needed for building the permanent dam beside the river. Those whose land will be used by the government will be compensated by listing them through the UNO, he said, requesting all not to obstruct the work. Titu said that he has a plan of building a ring road from Bangabandhu Bridge to Aricha Ghat. Earlier while talking to reporters, the newly appointed state minister said they in coordination with the concerned ministries and departments including the Commerce Ministry have been working to tame high prices of commodities following the directive from the premier. Blaming the Ukraine-Russia and Israel and Palestine wars post the Covid-19 pandemic responsible for the price hike, he said his government has sincerely been working to keep the prices of essentials at tolerable levels for the needy people. 513 students commit suicide across Bangladesh in 2023:Aachol Foundation He called upon the business people to keep prices of commodities under control ahead of the holy Ramadan by making less profit.

Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) predicted that the flood situation in low-lying areas of Netrokona districts may improve in 24 hours. FFWC, in its regular bulletin, said Brahmaputra River remains unchanged but Jamuna river water is in a rising trend, which may continue in 24 hours starting from 9 am on Thursday (July 06, 2023). Read: Rise in Teesta water may cause short-term flood in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari in 24 hours: FFWC warns Water in the Ganga-Padma Rivers is in a rising trend, which may continue in 72hours, it reads. Besides, major rivers in the northeastern region of the country are in a falling trend except Khowai, Monu and Dhalai, which may continue in 48 hours, the bulletin said. Read more: Better flood management: China offers assistance for dredging rivers in Bangladesh

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways on Sunday demanded the government cancel a project aimed at reducing the width of the river Jamuna without any study. The organisation's president Mohammad Shahid Mia and its general secretary Ashis Kumar Dey made the demand in a statement on Sunday. The leaders of the group said in the statement that the project proposal made by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to reduce the width of the Jamuna river to 6.5 kilometres  from 15 kilometres is “unscientific and absurd.” The statement said if such “an ill-fated project” is implemented on such a large river major natural disasters may occur in the near future. The National Committee also said in the statement that if the project is implemented without proper research, there will be no water flow in many places of the river and ground water level will drop in those areas. At the same time, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, livelihood and ecology may be affected.  The downstream environment of Jamuna and other structures including the Padma Bridge and the Jamuna Bridge may be adversely affected, it said.   It is noted that the Water Development Board has prepared a project proposal of Tk 1,110 crore to reduce the width of the Jamuna river.  The Ministry of Water Resources has already sent the proposed project titled 'Sustainable Infrastructure for Jamuna River Bank Protection and Risk Mitigation' to the Planning Commission.        

The bodies of two youths, who went missing two days ago, were recovered from the Jamuna River in Nagarbari river port of Pabna on Monday. The deceased were identified as Panna Sadar, 28, and his cousin Ashiq alias Piyash Sheikh, 20, of the district. The bodies were found floating in the river near Pratappur Jame Masjid around 7am shortly after the departure of a cargo vessel docked there, said Nagarbari Naval Police Outpost in-charge Shariful Islam. The duo went missing after jumping into the river from a boat on Saturday fearing collision with a vessel near Nagarbari river port. The bodies will be handed over to their respective families after completing legal procedures, said the official.

The body of an official of Nassa Group was recovered from the Jamuna River at Shibaloy upazila in Manikganj on Sunday, two days after he went missing while bathing in the river. The deceased was identified as Ash Habib, 43, Of Bogura district. He was a general manager of Nassa group in Gazipur’s Ashulia. Locals spotted the body floating in the river near Zafarganj area around 11am and alerted the police. Later, police recovered the body, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Paturia River Police Station Abu Bakar Siddique. According to family sources, Habib along with his family came to visit the Jafarganj area for vacation and went missing while bathing in the river on Friday. The body will be handed over to his family after completing the legal procedures, said the OC. Also read: Missing tourist’s body recovered after two days from Moheshkhali Channel

A survey is underway to assess the feasibility of building a tunnel alongside Bangabandhu Bridge as an alternative passage under the Jamuna River, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury. Talking to reporters at the secretariat on Wednesday during an event organized by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), he said an alternative passage along the Bangabandhu Bridge is needed. “A feasibility study is underway. If its results are found to be positive, then the country's second tunnel after the Karnaphuli one will be built there,” he said. Read Karnaphuli Tunnel Project makes "breakthrough" amid Covid-19 About the encroached lands along the river banks, he said, “We want to give some time to the industrial establishments on the river banks as they’ve made huge investments there. Government lands have been demarcated while notices have been issued to the encroachers in this regard.” To secure 10,000 kilometers of waterways, illegal establishments have been removed from nearby rivers, the state minister said, adding that 3,000 kilometers of waterways have already been secured.

One hundred metres of Sirajganj city’s protective dam collapsed into the Jamuna River Tuesday, near the old Jailkhana Ghat area. The dam started giving away in the morning which raised panic among the locals. After that additional police members were deployed at the spot. Also read: Crops on 12,000ha damaged as norwester lashes Sirajganj Sub Divisional engineer of local Water Development Board, Md Nasir Uddin said due to heavy rain, increased water level of Jamuna River created whirlpools under the barrier dam. Heavy rain from the morning added to the condition causeing the massive collapse in the damn, he said Dumping geobags and CC blocks have proved ineffective in mitigating the breakage. Also read: Untimely river erosion causes panic in Sirajganj ANgry locals blamed the Water Development Board’s negligence for the condition of the dam. However, WDB officials pointed out the extreme current of the river and soil erosion for this incident, claiming routine surveys had been conducted by them. Deputy Commissioner of the district Dr Faruque Ahmed asked for all-out measures to prevent any massive collapse after visiting the area.

Untimely river erosion, far in advance of the monsoon season, has increased the suffering of local residents in the south bank of the Jamuna river, in Enayetpur upazila of Sirajganj. Many houses in the area have been washed away by the river.  The victims of this demolition are now living a dreadful life. River erosion is a common scenario in this area. Read Dhaleshwari erosion takes serious turn in Keraniganj Around 20,000 houses have been washed away by the river so far, leaving many families stranded. Local representatives including MPs and ministers have visited the site at least five times in the last four years to see the plight. Every time, they have given various promises to the affected people which includes building a permanent protection dam. Also read: Riverbank erosion displacees await rehabilitation A project worth Tk 600 crore for building a dam that stretches across 6.5 km was submitted to the relevant ministry almost 4 years ago. But no updates on the project have been received ever since. State Minister for Water Resources Ministry Zahid Faruk has visited the site recently and promised to approve the project as soon as possible. However, the recent river erosion, so advanced of the monsoon season, instilled a sense of fear among the local residents. They have set up bamboo fences to prevent erosion on their own initiative. Also read: River rage: Unabated erosion gives villagers sleepless nights The erosion stretched from Brahman village to Hat Pachil area of the upazila. Nasir Uddin, the sub-divisional engineer of the local water development board, said a letter has been sent to the higher authorities to take necessary steps in preventing untimely erosion.  Besides, the project for construction of a permanent dam has not been approved yet, he added. Read Padma erosion threatens Daulatdia Ferry Terminal

Illegal and unabated sand extraction is causing serious erosion on a six-kilometre stretch on the bank of Jamuna River in Sirajganj’s Shahjadpur Upazila.