Daulatpur flood situation worsens as Padma continues to rise

*    Two children drown; classes suspended at 18 educational institutions
*    More than 50,000 people stranded 

DAULATPUR, KUSHTIA, Sept 12: Floodwaters from the Padma have inundated vast low-lying areas of Daulatpur Upazila as the river continues to rise at an alarming rate, leaving more than 50,000 people marooned in Chilamari and Ramkrishnapur unions.

Two children, Pappu Khan, 15, and Mustakim, 12, drowned in the Padma in the two unions amid the rising floodwaters.

Considering the safety of students, classes have been suspended locally at 16 primary and two secondary schools in the two unions. However, the upazila administration has not officially announced the closure of any educational institution.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the Padma has been rising rapidly since September 2 due to a surge of water flowing downstream from upstream areas through Farakka. The river has risen by 10-14 centimetres a day on average, increasing by nearly 88cm at the Hardinge Bridge point over the past week.

As of yesterday afternoon, the Padma was flowing at 12.88 metres at the Hardinge Bridge point, where the danger level is 13.80 metres. The water level is therefore 92cm below the danger mark.

However, continued water-level rise has raised fears of a further deterioration of the flood situation in low-lying areas of Daulatpur.
Locals said most roads and communication routes in Chilamari and Ramkrishnapur unions have gone under water, leaving more than 50,000 people in the two unions almost cut off from the mainland.

Floodwater has entered croplands in Philipnagar, Moricha, Chilamari and Ramkrishnapur, damaging transplanted Aman paddy, bananas, chillies and other crops. The upazila agriculture office estimates that around 350 hectares of cropland have been affected.

With water reaching close to homesteads, residents are worried about the safety of livestock and shortages of cattle feed and safe drinking water. Locals fear the situation could become more critical if the water level rises further.

Sheikh Nuruzzaman, President of Chilamari union BNP and a former Union Parishad member, said new areas were being inundated every day.

“Thousands of people are marooned and spending their days in extreme hardship. If the water continues to rise and the flood persists, severe shortages of safe drinking water, dry food and cattle feed may occur,” he said, urging the authorities to provide relief and emergency assistance quickly.

Abdul Mannan, Chairman of Chilamari Union Parishad, said all villages and croplands in the union had been inundated after the Padma rose suddenly due to the upstream surge.

“Most roads are under water, leaving the communication system almost cut off. People are living in extremely difficult conditions,” he said, adding that the situation was being monitored and the upazila administration was being kept informed.

After visiting the flood-hit areas, Upazila Education Officer Mushtak Ahmed said rising water had created risks for students travelling to and from schools.

“Although the upazila administration has not officially announced the closure of educational institutions, students in 18 flood-hit schools are being discouraged from attending classes for the time being, and classroom teaching has been suspended,” he said.

He added that the school buildings would remain open so that people who lose their homes to the flood could take shelter there.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Rehena Parvin said around 350 hectares of cropland in low-lying areas had been damaged.

“Officials of the agriculture department are working in the field to assess the damage. Lists of affected farmers will be prepared, and necessary assistance and agricultural advice will be provided,” she said.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Anindya Guha said the administration was closely monitoring the flood situation round the clock.

“The administration is on alert and regularly monitoring the overall situation in the flood-hit areas. Steps are being taken to launch emergency relief operations in coordination with local representatives for the safety and assistance of marooned people,” he said.

He added that food items had already been distributed on a limited scale among distressed and poor families in Chilamari union.