Abnormal Rise in Padma Water Triggers Flash Floods in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Kushtia

An onrush of upstream water and incessant rainfall have caused the water level of the swollen Padma River to rise rapidly, triggering flash floods in several upazilas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Kushtia districts. Over 100,000 people in low-lying areas of the districts have been marooned over the past two days. Vast areas of cropland, homes, rural roads and several educational institutions have been submerged. Fresh river erosion has also begun in many areas, leaving riverside residents in extreme fear and hardship.

Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia has been the worst affected. More than 80,000 people in the low-lying areas of Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions are currently marooned. Around 350 hectares of cropland have been submerged. Roads in these areas are under waist-deep water in some places and knee-deep water in others, making movement difficult. With communications disrupted, boats are now the only means of transport. As the situation worsens, classes at at least 25 educational institutions in the two unions have been temporarily suspended.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the Padma’s water level has been rising rapidly for the past week. At the Hardinge Bridge point, the water level was 12.88 metres on Thursday afternoon, rising to 13.02 metres at 3pm on Friday. This means the water level rose by 14 centimetres in just 24 hours. Daulatpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Rehena Parvin said crops on around 350 hectares of low-lying land were facing extensive damage. However, Kushtia WDB Executive Engineer Md Asfauddaula expressed hope that the water may begin to recede within the next two or three days.

The entire Char Ashariadaha Union of Godagari upazila in Rajshahi district has been flooded. Fresh river erosion has also begun in the Char Bayarmari and Kanapara areas, spreading panic among residents. Several low-lying areas of Char Khidirpur, Madhyachar, Charkhanpur and Majhardiara in Paba upazila, as well as Chakrajapur Union in Bagha upazila, have also been inundated. More than 3,000 families in these areas are marooned.

Rajshahi WDB Executive Engineer Arifur Rahman said the Padma was flowing at a height of 17.20 metres at 10am on Friday and that the rate of rise had slowed somewhat over the previous 24 hours. The local administration said rice and dry food were being distributed among flood victims, while three medical teams were providing healthcare services in the char areas.

The rise in the Padma’s water level has inundated several low-lying areas of Chapainawabganj Sadar and Shibganj upazilas, leaving around 2,500 families marooned. Around 56 hectares of cropland have been affected. Several educational institutions have been closed after being submerged or becoming inaccessible. The flash floods have also caused severe shortages of safe drinking water, dry food and cattle feed. Chapainawabganj WDB Executive Engineer S M Ahsan Habib said, according to the weather forecast, the trend of rising river water may gradually ease after Friday.