A rising trend of water in many of the rivers in the Ganges basin has been recorded like the previous couple of days because of continuous onrushing of floodwater from upstream hilly catchment areas.
Of the 30 river points monitored in the Ganges basin Monday, water levels increased at 14 points, while receded at 15 points and remained stable at one point, according to data of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
However, the rivers were flowing below the danger level at 27 points, while above the danger level at three points.
"We recorded falling trends in many rivers, including Ganges, Padma and some of the downstream rivers and tributaries of the Ganges basin today [Monday]," said Mukhlesur Rahman, superintending engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
He said water level of the Ganges River receded by 2cm at Hardinge Bridge and 1cm each at Pankha point in Chapainawabganj, at Rajshahi and Talbaria points afresh at 9am Monday.
But, Mukhlesur said, the Ganges River was still flowing 165cm, 183cm, 110cm, and 75cm below the danger levels at Pankha, Rajshahi, Hardinge Bridge, and Talbaria points respectively.
Water level of the Padma River declined by 1cm further at Goalondo point, and the river was flowing 24cm above the danger level at the point Monday morning, he added.
Water level of the Korotoa River further declined by 3cm at Chak Rahimpur point and 1cm at Bogra point, and the river was flowing 275cm and 356cm below the danger mark at the two points respectively this morning.
Besides, a falling trend of water levels was recorded at the three points of the Jamuna River on Monday. The water level receded by 3cm at Sariakandi point in Bogra and 1cm each at Kazipur point in Sirajganj and at Sirajganj point.
FFWC Executive Engineer Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan said the Jamuna River was flowing 1cm, 7cm, and 12cm below the danger level at Sariakandi, Kazipur, and at Sirajganj points respectively.
He said the Gur River was flowing 21cm below the danger level at Singra point in Natore with 3cm fall further, while the Atrai River was flowing 5cm above the danger mark at Baghabari point in Sirajganj with 4cm fall this morning.
Water level in the Mohananda River went up by 1cm at Chapainawabganj point, while the Atrai River increased by 6cm at Mohadevpur in Naogaon point afresh this morning.
Of the 16 river points both in Ganges and Brahmaputra basins, being monitored in many districts under Rajshahi division regularly, water levels declined at 14 points while increased at two points.
However, the rivers were flowing below the danger level at 15 points, while above the danger mark at one point this morning.
Distribution of relief materials
Meanwhile, the district and upazila administrations with the local public representatives have been distributing relief materials in the worst-affected areas continuously since the flood situation began.
Around 216,000 worst-affected families consisting 901,000 people have, so far, received relief materials to overcome their livelihood related hardships caused by the flood in different districts under Rajshahi division.
As part of its instant humanitarian assistance to cope with the disastrous situation, the government has disbursed 1,512 tons of rice, Tk63.32 lakh in cash, 26,924 packets of dry food, Tk21 lakh for baby food, and Tk40 lakh for animal feed among the affected families in the division.
Moinul Islam, additional commissioner of Rajshahi division, said there are more other relief materials like 2,247 tons of rice, Tk46.18 lakh, 4,076 packets of dry food, Tk3 lakh for baby food, and Tk5 lakh for animal feed remained in stock for distribution among the affected people.
If needed, there are relief items of 350 tons of rice, Tk8 lakh in cash, Tk1 lakh for baby food, and another Tk3 lakh for cattle feed for the hardest hit families in Bogra district, he added.
Simultaneously, the Department of Health has undertaken all possible measures to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases among the affected people amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some 3,822 patients were recorded to be suffering from various water-related diseases and 18 deaths occurred mainly caused by drowning and snakebite since July 1, the sources added.