Flash flood inundates low-lying areas in Chandpur

The low-lying areas in Chandpur district and its close vicinity have been inundated by flash flood with sudden swelling of the water level of the Meghna River on Saturday.

It was observed that with the blow of gusty wind accompanied with intermittent rains, water level of the Meghna rose rapidly in the afternoon inundating countless homes, roads and shops and markets in Chandpur Sadar and its adjacent areas including Chandra, Bakhorpur, Bohoria, Luxmipur, Horina and other areas.

Chandpur town protection dam and the areas in and around are under threat due to erosion and strong pressure of flood water and turbulent waves and strong current of the river. Around 500,000 people residing in the town protection dam area in Natun Bazar and Puranbazar are passing life amid constant panic for the onslaughts of erosion and flood.

They are preparing to shift to safer places with their belongings any time-said a number of panicky residents of Ronagoayal and Paschim Sreeramdi and Jamuna Road areas in the town, as the river is turbulent with high waves and the water level is touching the upper level of the dam.

On the other hand, vast tracts in 30 char areas of Chandpur sadar, Haimchar and Matlab Uttar upazilas have also gone under water for the flash flood washing away standing crops.

As a result, several thousand people of the char areas are in constant panic.

They are thinking of going to the shelter centers at the local government primary schools for survival if the trend of rise in water level continues.

Water Development Board, Chandpur's Executive Engineer Jahirul Islam told the FE the Meghna is flowing 21 centimetres above the danger level during high tide. But it will come down after high tide subsides. So nothing is to be worried about.

He adds, "We all are keeping constant watch on the water level and the town protection dam. We have got enough concrete cement blocks ready at hand to meet emergency needs for the fresh vulnerable spots of the dam."

Chandpur District Weather Office's official Mohammad Shoyaeb told the FE, the river water level may rise up to three feet from the normal level due to pressure of the low in the Bay.

Chandpur Sadar Upazila's Assistant Fisheries Officer Mizanur Rahman said, ''We have been communicating with the fish cultivators about taking proper steps to save their cultured fish.''

Haimchar Upazila Fisheries Officer Ashraful Huque told the FE, "In a meeting a few days ago, we have alerted the fish farmers to the flooding, which may occur from July 20 to 24''.

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