Because of heavy downpour during the last five days and upstream flood water, the Kirtonkhola, Burishwar, and Meghna rivers and most of their tributaries are swelling above the danger mark submerging vast areas of Barisal region.
Abdul Kuddus, senior observer of the Barisal divisional weather office, informed that a total of 65 millimeter rainfall was recorded at Barisal city and surrounding areas in the last 24-hour till 3pm on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, croplands, commercial and residential areas in many places went under water, confirmed Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), Barisal office.
Fishing boats and trawlers lie idle as the sea remains rough due to a depression over the Bay.
Local river ports have been asked to show Cautionary Signal No 1 and marine ports 3, weather office sources said.
Major rivers of the division including Kirtonkhola in Barisal, Burishawr in Barisal and Patuakhali, Meghna, Tetulia of Daulatkhan in Bhola, Payra in Mirjaganj upazila of Patuakhali, Bishkali in Jhalakathi, Barguna and Kacha in Pirojpur are flowing above danger level from two centimeters to 69 centimeters, said Dipak Das, executive engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board, Barisal district.
As a result, agriculture lands, villages, ponds, roads and bazaars of the affected areas are marooned.
Various low-lying areas are submerged in tidal water in the lower part of Bhola including Manpura, Doulatkhan and Charfession, said Hasan Mahamud, Executive Engineer of BWDB, Bhola
Water level in all unions in Monpura and Charfession upazilas of Bhola district is also increasing, BWDB sources confirmed.
In Barisal district, most areas of Mehendiganj upazila are submerged under 6-12 inches water and vegetables, betel leaf gardens and paddy fields went under water, confirmed Mehendiganj upazila UNO Pijush Chandra Dey.
Md Masum Assistant Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board, Barisal district, said the Meghna River was flowing 69 centimeters above danger level at Daulatkhan Point, the Nayavanguni River 1-8 centimeters at Abupur point, Payra at Mirjaganj point 19 centimeters, Kacha at Pirojpur point 8 centimeters, Tetulia at Bhola Kheyghat point 15 centimeters and Bishkhali River at Jhalakathi, Bamna and Patharghata consecutively 9, 22, and 33 centimeters over danger level and the Kirtonkhola River is flowing above 20 centimeters.
Mohammad Masum, Assistant Engineer, Barisal, added due to strong upstream water pressure and heavy rainfall, water level of the rivers have increased and lowland areas, river banks and many parts of shoals have been marooned.
