• 2 points of Brahmaputra crossed danger limit
• Continuous water rise has flooded the lower basin areas

A Correspondent, Kurigram:

Heavy rains and upstream flows have caused the water level of the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram to surpass the danger level, trapping thousands of residents in water.

At around 9am on Wednesday, the Brahmaputra’s water level at Chilmari and Nunkhawa points flowed 9-14cm above the danger mark.

Continuous water rise has flooded the lower basin areas, leaving thousands waterlogged in various upazilas.

The water levels of the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are also increasing, exacerbating the flood situation in the district’s lower regions.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the northern and upstream parts of the country over the next 24 hours.

This will likely cause the Dudhkumar, Dharla, and Teesta rivers to rise and potentially exceed danger levels at some points, leading to short-term flooding conditions.

Although the forecast did not predict flooding in the Brahmaputra basin, the river has crossed the danger level, causing floods in the district’s lower parts and affecting hundreds of families. The water levels in all district rivers continue to rise as of 9am Wednesday.

The BWDB Kurigram control room reported that the Brahmaputra’s water level at Chilmari point rose by 36cm in 15 hours (from 6pm Tuesday to 9am Wednesday), crossing the danger level and flowing 9cm above it.

Simultaneously, the water at Nunkhawa point in Nageshwari rose by 45cm and was 14cm above the danger level. The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers also saw increases of 21cm each, moving towards the danger level. Overnight, the Teesta’s water level at Kaunia Point rose by 34cm.

The continuous water rise in the Brahmaputra has caused flood conditions in its lower reaches, trapping thousands. Water has entered the homes of hundreds of families in the char areas under Ulipur’s Begamganj Union. Many families have taken refuge in boats with essential items and are cooking on the boats due to submerged homes, facing significant issues with sanitation.

Shariful, a resident of Batuatli Musar Char, said: “More than 40 families live in our village. The water has entered every house. There is water all around outside. The water is rising.”

Ulipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ataur Rahman assured: “There are adequate preparations to provide food assistance to water-affected families in flood situations. Shelters have been prepared for the safe refuge of affected family members.”

In Jatrapur union, the Brahmaputra has flooded lower areas, worsening the situation in the last two days in Kalir Alga and Goailpuri chars. Water has begun entering several homes, surrounding most homesteads.

Mahbub, a resident of Goailpuri Char, said: “The situation is bad. We have gotten caught in the flood. Water is entering the houses in many areas.”

Hossain, a resident of Kalir Alga, said: “Water is entering houses in the low-lying areas. If the water rises further, more houses will be affected.”

Village doctor Anshar Ali from Puran Kali Alga village said: “The situation is bad. The water has been rising for two days. Water is entering most houses. People have not yet gone to the shelters. More than 50 families in our village are trapped by the water.”

In Chilmari upazila and Hatia union of Ulipur, continuous water rise in the Brahmaputra has flooded lower areas, trapping residents.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said: “We are prepared to deal with the flood situation. Relief aid distribution continues. Over 400 shelters have been kept ready across the district. We are closely monitoring areas that are getting flooded again due to rising water levels.”