Flash flood triggers woes in five Lalmonirhat upazilas

Flash floods have hit at least 20,000 families residing in the low lying areas of Lalmonirhat's five upazilas due to heavy rainfall and onrush of upstream waters in the Teesta and Dharla rivers.

Road communication were disrupted in many areas due to waterlogging, while croplands, ponds, other waterbodies, and fish resources were affected due to such a flood, occurring for the fifth time in a year as per the Bengali calendar.

Residents who were severely affected due to the floods were of Char Gobordhan, Harinchara of Mohishkho Cha Union under Aditmari Upazilla, Rajpur, Bagdora, Kholaighat, Chinatuli, Khuniagach, Khulaghat, Bashuria, Mogolhat under Sadar upazilla, Votemari, Shoilmari of Kaligonj Upazilla, Dawabari, Shindurna, Goddimari, Patikapara of Hatibandha Upazilla.

According to the Teesta Barrage project sources, water at the Teestra barrage point was flowing above the danger mark from Sunday morning to night but it started receding from Monday morning. The water level of Teesta at Dowani point on the day was recorded 51.90 cm, which is 25cm under the danger mark.

The barrage authorities already opened all the gates to manage water pressure from the upstream,

sources said. As water started receding, some fresh low-lying areas went under water in sadar and Aditmari Upazilla of the district.

Moreover, worsening the effects of the flood, erosion started in some points as water started to recede on Monday morning.

Farmers Samsul Alam and Mafiz Uddin of Kalmati village under Sadar upazila's Khunigach said that river erosion took their four bighas of aman paddy field last night. The paddy field of many other farmers have also been remaining submerged.

Dr. Shaikhul Arefin, deputy director (DD) of Lalmonirhat Department of Agriculture and

Extension (DAE), said that if the crops remain inundated for three to five days and extreme sunlight prevail, crops like vegetables, T-Aman and crops of some other varities would be damaged.

Sources at the district fisheries' department said floodwater reached most waterbodies,

ponds and fisheries projects, leaving them badly affected. "We are collecting information from field level."

Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner H.M Rakib Haider said they all have preparation to manage the situation. "We have enough

dry food and other support for the affected people," he added.

ahasnathrana@yahoo.com