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Rising floodwaters drown 2 children and maroon 50,000 people

Published : Saturday, 12 September, 2026 at 6:31 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

An abnormal rise in Padma River has drowned two children, suspended classes in 18 educational institutions, and left over 50,000 people marooned.

Water levels in the Padma River have risen alarmingly in Daulatpur, inundating vast areas of low-lying land. Prioritizing student safety, classes have been locally suspended at 16 primary schools and two secondary schools across Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions, although the Upazila administration has not issued an official closure order.

Tragically, two children, Pappu Khan, 15, and Mustakim, 12, have drowned in the rising waters of the Padma in these unions.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), water levels have been surging since September 2 due to upstream flows passing through Farakka, rising at an average rate of 10 to 14 centimeters daily. As of Saturday afternoon, the water level at the Hardinge Bridge point stood at 13.07 meters, 73 centimeters below the danger level. However, with the water continuing to rise, there are fears that the flood situation in Daulatpur’s low-lying areas will deteriorate further.

Locals report that the rising water has submerged most roads, bridges, and transport routes in Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions, effectively cutting off more than 50,000 residents from the mainland.

Floodwaters have encroached upon farmlands in the Philipnagar, Moricha, Chilmari, and Ramkrishnapur areas, damaging crops such as transplanted Aman paddy, bananas, and chili peppers. Upazila agricultural officials estimate that approximately 350 hectares of cropland in the low-lying regions have sustained damage.

Marooned residents said they were facing shortages of safe drinking water, dry food and cattle feed as the flood situation worsened.

Abdul Mannan, chairman of Chilmari Union Parishad, stated that a sudden surge in the Padma River, caused by an influx of upstream water, had inundated all the villages and farmlands in the union. With most roads submerged, the local transport network has been virtually severed. Marooned residents are living in dire conditions. He said the situation was being monitored around the clock and the Upazila administration was being regularly informed.

After inspecting the flood-affected areas, Upazila Education Officer Mushtaq Ahmed noted that the rising water levels had created risks to students’ safety as they travelled to school.

Consequently, although the Upazila administration has not issued a formal closure order, students have been discouraged from attending 18 schools in the affected areas, and classroom instruction has been suspended. However, the school buildings will remain open as shelters for people displaced by the floods.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Rehena Parvin reported damage to approximately 350 hectares of cropland in low-lying areas. Officials from the Department of Agriculture are currently in the field assessing the extent of the damage. Officials will prepare a list of affected farmers to provide them with necessary assistance and agricultural advice.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Guha stated that the administration remained on alert and was continuously monitoring the situation to tackle the floods. Regular updates on the overall conditions in the affected areas are being obtained. Arrangements are being made to provide emergency relief in coordination with public representatives to ensure the safety and support of people stranded by the floodwaters.

On Saturday (September 12) afternoon, Reza Ahmed Bachchu Molla, MP for Kushtia-1 (Daulatpur), held an emergency meeting with public representatives and party activists from Chilmari and Ramkrishnapur unions.

Food has already been distributed on a limited scale among vulnerable families in Chilmari Union. Meanwhile, the administration has allocated nine metric tonnes of government rice for the two flood-affected unions.

MSI/AAH