Continuous rainfall over the past four days, coupled with water from upstream in India’s Meghalaya and Assam, has caused water levels to rise in several rivers across Sherpur, increasing fears of flooding.
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board, as of Tuesday afternoon, the water level of the Chellakhali River was flowing 106cm above the danger mark, compared to 39cm above the danger level the previous night.
Akhinuzzaman, executive engineer of the BWDB's Sherpur office, said all major rivers in the district have been swelling due to intermittent heavy rainfall.
As per current readings, the Bhugai River is flowing 379cm below the danger mark at the Nokugaon point, 257cm below at the Nalitabari point and the Old Brahmaputra River is flowing 687cm below the danger level.
Despite this, concerns of sudden flooding remain among local residents.
The rising water levels have significantly disrupted agricultural activities.
According to the district agriculture office, 6% of the season's paddy harvest is still pending.
In many areas, harvested paddy remains unprocessed and a large portion of hay is still green.
Due to the continuous rain, some paddy and hay is rotting in the fields.
Waterlogging has slowed harvesting, leading to a shortage of labourers.
Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Sherpur, reported that 94% of the paddy has been harvested and farmers have been advised to expedite the process.
He expressed hope that all harvesting will be completed within a week.
Ashraful Alam Russell, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Jhenaigati, said that the rise in water levels is due to rainfall and upstream runoff, but the overall situation remains under control.
He added that the administration is fully prepared and volunteer organizations have also been instructed to stay on alert.