All the rivers of Kurigram continue to flood due to heavy rains and upstream flows. Meanwhile, the waters of Brahmaputra and Dharla have crossed the Vipatseema and the lower areas of Char and the river have been inundated with flood water. About 50,000 people in Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, Dharla basins have become waterlogged as the water level continues to rise at an alarming rate.

At 9 am on Thursday (July 4), Chilmari point of Brahmaputra river was 63 cm above the water mark and Dharla river was 02 cm above the water mark. Rafsan Jani, sub-divisional engineer of the Kurigram Water Development Board, said that there is a possibility of some deterioration of the flood situation in the region in the short term as the water continues to rise.

Seasonal crops including vegetables, jute and many houses in the flooded area have been submerged in the flood water. The communication system has been cut off due to the subsidence of the rural roads. Due to the water all around, the people of the flood-affected areas are suffering.

Many families have taken shelter in higher places besides staying in the outposts or high lofts when the water rises in their houses. The villagers of the flooded areas are in dire straits with their cattle.

Jatrapur Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Abdul Ghafoor said that the water of Brahmaputra has increased at an alarming rate and my entire union has been inundated with flood water. So far, the houses of at least one and a half thousand families of the union have been submerged in flood water and around 8 thousand people have been trapped in water.

He also said that water has entered the houses of hundreds of families of Char Baladoba, Batuatli Musar Char, Beparipara New Char and East and West Mashal Char of Ulipur’s Begumganj Union. Forced, many of these families have taken refuge in boats with essential items. As the settlement is submerged in the water, the people of Banvasi are cooking and preparing food in the boat.

Ulipur UNO Md. Ataur Rahman said that there are adequate preparations to provide food assistance to water-affected families in flood situations. Also, shelters have been prepared for the safe shelter of the affected family members.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said that we are prepared to deal with the flood situation. We continue to distribute relief aid. In addition to conducting inquiries in flood affected Kurigram Sadar, Chilmari, Ulipur and Nageshwari, 10 kg of rice, 1 kg of dal, 1 liter of oil and 1 kg of salt and other items have already been distributed to 1,200 families in the affected areas. Besides, 10 kg of rice was distributed to 150 families in Barabita of Phulbari upazila. Again we are keeping an eye on the areas that are getting flooded due to rising water. More than 400 shelters have been kept ready throughout the district.