Water levels in the Dudhkumar River have risen above the danger mark in Kurigram due to upstream inflows, inundating homes in several low-lying riverbank areas of Nageshwari upazila and raising fears of worsening flood conditions over the coming days.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has warned that low-lying areas along the Dudhkumar, Teesta and Dharla rivers may experience short-term flooding within the next 72 hours. The agency also cautioned that flood conditions in the lower reaches of the Dudhkumar River could deteriorate further during this period.
In response to the emerging flood threat, the Bangladesh Agro-Meteorological Information Service under the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has issued a set of precautionary measures for farmers. It urged them to harvest mature vegetables immediately, avoid applying irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides, and raise field embankments to facilitate drainage of excess water.
According to the BWDB control room in Kurigram, water in the Dudhkumar River at the Pateshwari point was flowing 23 centimetres above the danger level on Monday morning. The water level continued to rise throughout the day and reached 26 centimetres above the danger mark by 6:00 pm.
The Teesta River, meanwhile, rose close to the danger level at Kaunia point in Rangpur, the gateway to Kurigram, by 3:00 pm, although the water level began to recede later in the evening. Water levels in the Brahmaputra River increased at all monitoring points, and forecasts indicate that all major rivers in the district are likely to continue rising over the next three days.
Citing meteorological data, the FFWC said the highest rainfall in the Dudhkumar basin was recorded at Pateshwari, where 138 millimetres of rain fell on Monday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days in Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, as well as in the adjoining upstream areas of India's West Bengal, Meghalaya and Assam states. Moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast to continue for another three days thereafter.
The centre said water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers across Rangpur Division may rise above danger levels during the next three days, potentially triggering short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Kurigram, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha districts.
The overflowing Dudhkumar has already left several families stranded in low-lying areas of Fanderchar in Bamandanga and Raiganj unions of Nageshwari upazila. Floodwaters have also entered agricultural land through an unfinished section of the flood-control embankment in Maliyanirpar area of Bamnadanga Union, overtopping stacks of geobags placed for riverbank protection.
BWDB officials said construction of approximately 300 metres of the embankment remains incomplete due to land acquisition complications and resistance from local residents. Water is currently entering through a roughly 30-metre stretch where flood protection relies solely on geobags.
Rising river levels have submerged Aman seedbeds, jute fields and vegetable plots in low-lying areas of Shilkhuri, Tilai, Char Bhurungamari, Paikerchhara, Sonahat and Andharirjhar unions in Bhurungamari upazila, as well as Bamnadanga, Kedar, Ballaverkhas and Kaliganj unions in Nageshwari upazila. Similar reports of inundated seedbeds, jute and vegetable fields have emerged from Kurigram Sadar and Roumari upazilas following heavy rainfall and upstream runoff.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension in Kurigram, floodwaters have so far submerged 46 hectares of vegetable fields, 36 hectares of Aman seedbeds and 84 hectares of jute fields across the district.
In its advisory, the Agro-Meteorological Information Service urged farmers to move livestock and poultry to higher ground and reinforce pond embankments to prevent fish losses. Where possible, ponds should be enclosed with nets or bamboo fencing.
It also advised farmers to harvest mature crops and vegetables before flooding intensifies, provide support structures for banana and vegetable plants, raise field embankments, and ensure proper drainage. Farmers have been strongly advised to refrain from irrigation, fertilizer application and pesticide use during the flood period.
Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of BWDB in Kurigram, told Dhaka Tribune that a short-term flood is forecast for the district.
“Approximately 300 metres of the flood-control embankment on the right bank of the Dudhkumar River in Bamnadanga Union remains unfinished. Construction could not be completed because land acquisition was hindered by objections from local residents. As a result, water is overtopping the unfinished section and flowing into adjacent agricultural land,” he said.
Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath said the district administration has taken preparations to deal with any potential flooding.
“Water levels in the district’s rivers are continuing to rise. We have instructed Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to keep rescue boats, dry food supplies and necessary shelters ready to respond to any flood situation,” she told Dhaka Tribune.
