Padma floods vast areas in Rajshahi, 2 others dists; Thousands stranded

Vast areas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Kushtia have been inundated by rising Padma River waters following flows of heavy upstream, leaving thousands of families waterlogged and struggling for basic necessities.

Flood-hit communities are facing shortages of food and safe drinking water. Many families have moved to higher ground or taken shelter in relatives’ or neighbours’ homes, carrying livestock and essential belongings with them.

The situation has also disrupted daily life in several riverine areas, with a number of chars already submerged.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the situation is expected to remain largely unchanged for the next two days, after which the Padma’s water level is likely to gradually recede.

Local administrations started distributing relief supplies, but residents say the assistance remains inadequate compared with the scale of the flooding and the growing needs of affected families.

The Padma has been swelling in Rajshahi amid persistent rainfall and a surge of water flowing downstream from upstream areas in India. Several river chars in the region have already been flooded.