Teesta, Dharla swell flooding low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat

Heavy rain and an influx of water from upstream sources have caused widespread flooding in Teesta and Dharla river basins in the last 24 hours, causing inundation in the low laying areas of five upazilas of Lalmonirhat district.

Due to the flooding consequent upon swelling of the two major rivers several thousand villagers of a number of unions in the five upazilas have been badly affected.

Croplands and roads were submerged in many areas due to waterlodging caused by the flood.

A large number of people were trapped in floodwater in Gobordhan and Harinchara of Mohishkhocha under Aditmari upazilla; Rajpur,Bagdora,Kholaighat,Chinatuli Khuniagach,Khulaghat,Bashuria and Mogolhat under sadar upazila and Votemari and Shoilmari of Kaliganj upazila; Dawabari,Shindurna and Goddimari of Hatibandha upazila.

However, floodwater started receding in many areas on Monday morning and at the same time erosion started at some points.

According to sources in the Teesta Barrage Project, water level at Teestra Barrage is now flowing under the danger mark.

The water level was recorded at 52.00

millimetres at 3pm on Monday, which is below the danger mark. All the gates of the barrage are open and water is receding, the sources said.

As floodwater started receding, some fresh low lying areas were going under water in sadar and Aditmari upazilas of the district.

Dr Shaikul Arefin, deputy director (DD) of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Lalmonirhat, said that water was entering the low lying areas and receding in every hour so there was nothing to be worried about.

In some low lying areas croplands went under water but farmers could replace the plants.

Deputy Commissioner of Lalmonirhat HM Rakib Hayder said, "Water is receding from everywhere and the situation is improving. We have already allocated 300 packets of dry food and 200 tonnes of GR rice and necessary items for the victims of the five upazilas."

ahasnathrana@yahoo.com