At least 30,000 people living in low-lying areas in Rangpur's Gangachara upazila have been marooned in flood waters as the Teesta River is flowing 20cm above the danger level due to the onrush of upstream water.
As many as 20 villages of four unions of the upazila have been submerged in two to three feet of water due to the rise in the Teesta River.
According to the upazila office, Charichali, Shankardah of Lakshitari union, Char Bagdohra of Nohali union, Minerbazar, Dilipbazar, and 300 houses of Ashrayan project went under water.
Hundreds of families have taken shelter on nearby high ground as their homes and belongings were washed away by the water.
For the last two days, the flood-affected families could not get food for themselves, locals said.
In this regard, Local UP Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi said some 1,500 families in five villages of two remote chars are spending their days in an inhumane manner due to waterlogging.
He said that the way the water in the river continues to rise, it is necessary to rescue the people trapped there, and move them to safe places.
On the other hand, Nohali UP Chairman Ashraf Ali said that five villages of his union's Char area have been submerged under two to three feet of water and 10,000 people have been marooned. Apart from this, hundreds of hectares of farmlands have been submerged.
Kolkondo Union Chairman Abdur Rauf said that if water continues to rise following the existing level, new areas will be flooded.
Meanwhile, Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahid Tamanna said for now, one ton of rice has been allocated for the flood-affected people residing in nine unions of the upazila and 600 dry food packets have also been provided to them.
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam of the local Bangladesh Water Development Board, said that the water level of the Teesta River has been rising. At Dalia barrage point, the water was flowing seven cm above the danger mark at 6pm while at Gangachara Point, 12cm above danger level.
He also hinted that the water may continue to rise.
