Thousands of people in three unions of Rowmari upazila in Kurigram have been trapped in water due to the influx from upstream India.
Hundreds of hectares of crops have been submerged. Heavy rains and water from hill slopes have raised the water levels of the district's main rivers, causing flooding in the lower areas and initiating erosion in the Brahmaputra and Teesta rivers.
On Wednesday morning, the Teesta water crossed the danger level, and other rivers' water levels are rising toward the danger mark.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board has predicted short-term flooding in Kurigram's lower areas within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Several villages in the Jinjiram, Kalor, and Dharani river basins in Rowmari were inundated by landslides from India. Operations at Rowmari land port have been halted due to water ingress, leaving hundreds of workers unemployed. Sadar, Jadurchar, and Char Shaulmari unions of the upazila are partially flooded, with large areas submerged.
The Brahmaputra and Holholia rivers' water levels have also risen, trapping thousands of people in three unions. Roads are submerged, obstructing movement in some areas.
Locals fear the situation will deteriorate further. Hundreds of hectares of crops in Kashiabari, Lalkura, Sriphalgati of Yadurchar Union, and Sadar Union's Mothertila and Notun Chuliachar are submerged.
Many farmers are struggling to harvest their semi-submerged crops.
Aminul Islam, a farmer from the Kartimari Bazar area, said: “I am cultivating paddy and the landslide caused the paddy fields to flood. I hired 10 workers at Tk1,000 each, but they could only cut all the paddy as the rest remains submerged.”
Shahin Iqbal, a resident of Izlamari village, said: “We have been affected by floods. Thirteen nearby villages have suffered heavy crop and fodder losses. Roads are submerged and broken in many places.”
Rowmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nahid Hasan Khan said: “Partial areas of three unions have been flooded. Six tons of rice have been allocated for the affected people, and distribution is ongoing.”
Water has entered the border market of Char Rajibpur upazila. Erosion of the Brahmaputra in Kirtantari, Naosala, and Shikarpur of Mohanganj Union has displaced families.
Local UP member Aminul Islam reported that at least 10 families have lost their homes in the past week. “Our area is neglected. No one hears the cries of the people of Char. My house has been broken into 12 times. Only those who experience it understand the pain. We request the government to stand by the people of our area,” he said.
In Biddanondo Union of Rajarhat upazila, the Teesta's erosion threatens a government primary school, a market, and hundreds of families.
The Bangladesh Water Development Board’s control room in Kurigram reported rising water levels in all district rivers. As of 6pm on Wednesday, Teesta water was 13cm above the danger level at Kaunia Point. The Dudhkumor River's water level slightly decreased but remained 10cm below the danger level. Despite this, short-term flooding is expected due to continuous heavy rains and upstream flows.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said: “Relief assistance is ready in the upazilas to handle the possible flood situation. Instructions have been given to upazila officials to safely evacuate people if necessary. We are constantly monitoring the overall situation.”
