UNB, Kurigram:

Over sixty thousand people have been marooned in the northern district of Kurigram as the flood situation has worsened due to the swelling of rivers.

Academic activities at 37 government primary schools in six out of nine upazilas of the district have been suspended while 2,300 hectares of croplands have also been damaged.

New areas are being flooded daily as the water continues to rise.

Due to the flooding, ferry movement between Chilmari and Rowmari upazilas remained suspended for flooding.

On Thursday morning, the Water Development Board reported that the Brahmaputra River’s water level has risen by 78 centimetres above the danger level at the Chilmari point, 72 centimetres at the Nunkhawa point, and 80 centimetres at the Hatia point.

On the other hand, the water levels of the Teesta River at Kaunia Point, the Dudhkumar River at Pateshwari Point, and the Dharla River at Shimulbari Point are flowing below the danger level.

Residents in the char areas and low-lying regions near the rivers are the worst sufferers of the flood as water enters their homes. Many families, along with their livestock, have taken refuge on flood control embankments, enduring severe difficulties.

The submersion of both dirt and paved roads has disrupted the communication system, aggravating the plight of the flood victims.

Matiur, a resident of Porar Char in Jatrapur union of the Sadar upazila, said the water from the Brahmaputra surrounded their house and he worried about his livestock.

Matiar Rahman from Musa’s Char in Begumganj Union also said, “Every house in our char is submerged. Some people are using boats, while others have built platforms to stay on higher ground. Every family here is suffering greatly.”

Md Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of the Water Development Board said, “The water levels of the Brahmaputra and other rivers flowing through the district may continue to rise for the next 48 hours. The Brahmaputra’s water is flowing above the danger level at three points, while other rivers’ water levels remain below the danger mark.”

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abdul Hai Sarkar told UNB that 62, 200 people across the district have been inundated.

“So far, 173 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 10 lakh have been allocated for distribution among the flood victims in nine upazilas. An additional 600 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 30 lakh are in reserve and will be distributed gradually,” said the official.

However, local public representatives claimed the number of affected people exceeded one lakh.