Heavy rains and upstream flows have caused the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram to exceed the danger level, trapping thousands of residents. As of 9am Wednesday, the Brahmaputra’s water level at Chilmari and Nunkhawa points was 9-14cm above the danger mark.
The continuous rise in water levels has flooded lower basin areas, leaving thousands waterlogged in various upazilas. The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are also rising, worsening the flood situation in the district.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) predicted heavy rainfall in the northern and upstream parts of the country over the next 24 hours, potentially causing the Dudhkumar, Dharla, and Teesta rivers to exceed danger levels and lead to short-term flooding.
Although the forecast did not predict flooding in the Brahmaputra basin, the river has crossed the danger level, affecting hundreds of families in the district’s lower parts. The BWDB Kurigram control room reported that the Brahmaputra’s water level at Chilmari point rose by 36cm in 15 hours, flowing 9cm above the danger level. At Nunkhawa point in Nageshwari, the water level rose by 45cm and was 14cm above the danger level. The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers also saw increases of 21cm each, approaching the danger level. Overnight, the Teesta’s water level at Kaunia Point rose by 34cm.
The rising waters have caused flood conditions in the Brahmaputra’s lower reaches, inundating homes and trapping thousands. In Ulipur’s Begamganj Union, many families have taken refuge in boats, facing significant sanitation issues. Shariful, a resident of Batuatli Musar Char, said: “The water has entered every house. There is water all around outside. The water is rising.”
Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ataur Rahman assured that adequate preparations are in place to provide food assistance to water-affected families, with shelters prepared for their safe refuge.
In Jatrapur union, the situation has worsened over the past two days, with water entering homes in Kalir Alga and Goailpuri chars. Mahbub, a resident of Goailpuri Char, said: “We have gotten caught in the flood. Water is entering the houses in many areas.” Hossain, a resident of Kalir Alga, added: “If the water rises further, more houses will be affected.”
Village doctor Anshar Ali from Puran Kali Alga village reported that more than 50 families are trapped by the rising waters. In Chilmari upazila and Hatia union of Ulipur, residents are similarly trapped by the continuous water rise in the Brahmaputra.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif stated: “We are prepared to deal with the flood situation. Relief aid distribution continues. Over 400 shelters have been kept ready across the district. We are closely monitoring areas that are getting flooded again due to rising water levels.”
