Northern Region: Water level of some rivers rising again

 Some rivers in the northern region of the country have started swelling again, posing the risk of recurring flood.

Flood for short period may hit the region by the end of this month due to heavy rainfall and onrush water from upstream, warns officials of Water Development Board (WDB).

People of these areas said they were already exhausted by multiple phases of flood since June. If flood recur, it would cause immense sufferings to them.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), in its bulletin yesterday, said there was a chance of heavy rainfall in south-western and south-central coastal region in 24 hours.

Rivers in these region may rise rapidly during this time, said the bulleting that was released at 9:00am yesterday.

Besides, our correspondents from different districts reported on flood situation.

In Kurigram and Lalmonirhat, the water level was gradually increasing due to rainfall and upstream water from India.

There is a fear among the people of the river bank that water may suddenly rise again causing flood.

Flood victim Nader Ali, 62, of Jorgach area in Kurigram's Chilmari upazila, said, "Water level in the Brahmaputra river has been rising since Wednesday morning. We are also preparing to see flood for another phase."

Sheikh Ali, 60, a flood-hit farmer of Char Kodalkati in Rajibpur upazila of Kurigram, said he collected aman seedlings and planted them with great difficulty. If there is a flood again, the aman paddy fields will be severely damaged.

Akkel Ali, 58, a flood affected farmer of Dakkhin Balapara area in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, said the roads in the village were still under floodwater. If they fall into the flood again, they will suffer a lot.

Contacted, Ariful Islam, executive engineer of the Kurigram WDB, said there was a risk of recurring flood in this area by the end of this month.

Mizanur Rajman, executive engineer of WDB in Lalmonirhat, said there was possibility of flood again by the end of this month due to heavy rainfall and onrush water from the upstream India.

In Bogura, the water of the Jamuna river has been increasing slowly during this week and crossed the danger level in last two days.

Water of the Jamuna at the Mathurapara point in Bogura's Sariakandi upazila is flowing 5 cm above of the danger level and it will decrease from tomorrow, said Mahbubur Rahman, executive engineer of the WDB.

In Sirajganj, there is no sign of improvement in flood situation as the Jamuna is swelling again and its water level yesterday reached near danger level.

"The water level is increasing slowly. If it continues, the river will flow above danger level within next couple of days," said Milton Hossain, assistant engineer of WDB.

However in Gaibandha, water of the Brahmaputra at the Fulchari point was flowing 33 cm below of the danger level.

Mokhlesur Rahman, executive engineer of WDB in Gaibandha, said, "Water will decrease slowly in next three days and the flood situation will improve quickly from next week."

In Nilphamari, water level in the Teesta came down further yesterday. It water was flowing 38 cm below the danger level.

In Manikganj, flood situation remains unchanged as the Jamuna was flowing 26 cm bellow the danger level at Aricha point.

Our correspondents from Lalmonirhat, Bogura, Pabna, Nilphamari and Manikganj contributed to this report.