With heavy rains and water from upstream, the Brahmaputra, Dharala, Surma, and Teesta Rivers are steadily rising close to danger levels.
With the rising waters, the low-lying and char areas of Kurigram, Sunamganj, and Nilphamari, are beset by landslides and floods.
People in the affected areas, especially near river banks and in char areas are in severe danger if the waters continue to rise, say officials at local water development boards (WDB).
Road communications have been severed as major roads in these districts are flooded.
This is hampering regular day-to-day activities, affecting working people who have to set out to earn their daily bread and, in medical emergencies, patients who are left helpless. Businesses relying on these roads daily are also facing monetary losses.
In Kurigram, the Brahmaputra River and the Dharala River are reaching dangerous levels and will continue to do so, says the local WDB.
Char areas and low-lying regions close to embankments are inundated.
According to WDB sources, in the last 24 hours, the Dharala River at jetty point has risen by 32cm, and the Brahmanbaria River at Nunkhaoa point has risen by 12cm. By comparison, the Teesta River is holding steady.
In the last 24 hours, the district recorded rainfall of 31mm, expected to remain the same for the next few days, said Rajarhat Meteorological Station.
People living in char areas and near embankments said the rising waters have flooded jute, maize, and other grain crop fields. The rising water levels quickly flooded char areas, threatening people in riverside areas.
Water development board Executive Engineer Md Ariful Islam said: “Incessant rainfall and upstream water from India have swollen the Brahmaputra and Dharala Rivers. The water level is likely to keep rising as the weather forecast suggests continuous rainfall for a few more days.
“We have repaired dams damaged in the 2017 floods. There are some dams which need attention on the banks of the Dharala River.”
In Sunamganj, a portion of the Sunamganj-Tahirpur Highway is once again flooded due to landslides in Anwarpur, disconnecting the Sadar and Tahirpur upazilas since Monday. Commuters are suffering with at least 50 vehicles stuck at both ends of the highway.
WDB said the Surma River at Shologhar point has risen by 7.11cm. The district recorded rainfall of 175mm in the last 24 hours.
WDB Executive Engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique said: “Incessant rainfall is slowly giving rise to the Surma River. However, it hasn’t crossed the danger level yet, though the rain is expected to continue and the water level will also continue to rise.”
In Nilphamari, the Teesta is steadily rising and is just 10cm below the danger point (52.6cm).
To avert flood-related casualties, the WBD has opened all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta barrage.
Local representatives say that due to rising water levels, 8,000 families in the low-lying and char areas of Dimla upazila are flood affected.
Hatibandha and Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat are also at risk of flooding as the rising waters may soon overwhelm low-lying and char areas there.