Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1082 Sun. June 17, 2007  
   
National


Teesta shoals flooded, over 400 families marooned
Rain swells rivers in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Moulvibazar


Two days' rains and onrush of water from across the border swelled the Teesta in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat, inundating low-lying areas of the districts.

At least 2000 people of 400 families are marooned in Teesta shoals in Nilphamari.

In Moulvibazar, Monu and Dholai rivers started rising yesterday. In Bogra, at least 70,000 people are marooned in three upazilas as rains swelled Jamuna and its tributary Korotoa.

Our Nilphamari correspondent reported yesterday that at least 2,000 people were marooned in Teesta shoals and low lying areas in Dimla and Jaldhaka upazilas as the river starting swelling Friday night. There was heavy rain in the district yesterday and the day before.

Water Development Board (WDB) sources in Dalia said the Teesta is swelling as India opened all the gates of Gajal Doba barrage in the upstream to release the excess water.

According to WDB control room in Rangpur, water level of Teesta crossed the danger mark at Dalia at 3 am on Friday. It was flowing two centimeters above the danger mark, WDB sources said.

With rise of Teesta, its tributaries in Nilphamari, including Charalkanta, Deunai, Buri Teesta, Jamuneswari and Panga also swelled at various points, inundating newly transplanted Aman paddy on vast areas.

The flooded areas are Purba Kharibari, Char Kharibari, Kisamoter Char, Dhohol Para, Baishpukur, Bhasanir Char, Khokar Char, Chhoto Khata, Fakrater Char, Sadhur Bazar, Jhar Singheswar in Dimla upazila and Bhaban Chur and Gopal Jhar in Jaldhaka upazila.

WDB Executive Engineer in Dalia Atiqur Rahman said they have opened all the gates of Teesta Barrage to keep the flood situation under control. They are also getting information from the Indian side on the river position, he said

Our STAFF CORRESPONDENT reports from Bogra:

A least 3,000 mud houses collapsed in three upazilas in Bogra due to heavy rains and stagnant water, according to primary estimate made by the local administrations.

At least 75,000 people are marooned in Kahalu, Nandigram and Dupchanchia upazilas.

Kahalu Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Azizul Islam said at least 2000 families have lost their mud houses in the upazila. Fishes worth about Tk 8 crore have been washed away.

He said over 5,000 affected people have taken shelter on the bank of Nagar river and at schools in Kahalu, Nandigram and Dupchanchia upazilas.

The affected people told this correspondent that they are facing crisis of fodder and drinking water.

About 50 educational institutions in the three upazilas have been closed due to flood, sources said.

Our Moulvibazar Correspondent adds: Due to heavy rainfall in last two days, Monu and Dholai rivers swelled again yesterday in Moulvibazar district.

According to WDB sources, Monu was flowing two metres below the danger mark at Monu Railway Bridge and one metre below the mark at Moulvibazar town at 2 pm yesterday.

The WDB recorded 45 mm rainfall in 24 hours till yesterday noon.

The Dholai river was flowing above the danger mark, WDB sources said. But they did not measure the level as the river is not under their jurisdiction.

More areas reeled under flood Kamalganj, Kulaura and Rajnagar upazilas as water is flowing through several breaches in Dholai river embankment. The river burst its embankments last week.

A Correspondent reported from Lalmonirhat reported that the Teesta crossed the danger mark in Hatibandha upazila in the district Friday night. The river was flowing 33 cm above the red mark at about 1 pm yesterday.

WDB officials said they opened all the 44 gates of Teesta Barrage yesterday morning, resulting in inundation of about 15 villages in shoal areas in Hatibandha and Kaliganj upazilas.

At least 5,000 people of 100 families left homes in the villages and taken shelter in higher places, sources there said.

Picture
A marooned family at Fakirpara village in Kahalu upazila in Bogra. PHOTO: STAR