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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Water levels in the Jamuna River are rising in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, inundating low-lying areas and shoals.
- Officials from the Water Development Board (WDB) state there is no immediate flood risk, as levels remain below danger marks.
- Residents in affected areas express concern, though major crop losses have been avoided due to recent harvests.
The Jamuna River's water level has been steadily increasing in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, over the past week, leading to the inundation of several low-lying areas and river shoals across five upazilas. Despite the rising waters, officials from the Water Development Board (WDB) maintain that there is no immediate threat of widespread flooding.
Onrush of water and heavy rainfall upstream are driving the increase in the Jamuna's water levels. The river will continue to rise for the next one or two days before receding again.
According to WDB data, the river was flowing at 13.74 meters at the Kazipur point and 12.27 meters at the Sirajganj hard point on the morning of the report. These levels are significantly below the danger marks of 14.80 meters and 12.90 meters, respectively. The surge in water levels is attributed to upstream rainfall and water flow, with the river expected to continue rising for another day or two before receding.
Flood forecasts indicated no immediate risk of the river crossing the danger level, adding that the Jamuna has risen eight to 10 times since the last week of June but has not crossed the danger mark.
While authorities assure the public that the danger level is unlikely to be breached, residents in vulnerable areas are growing anxious. Over 100 homesteads and extensive farmlands in Chowhali upazila are submerged, and shoal villages in Kalia Haripur union are underwater, disrupting daily livelihoods. Fortunately, most of the paddy and jute crops have already been harvested, mitigating major agricultural losses. However, vegetable fields and crops on higher ground could still be at risk if the river breaches the danger mark.
More than 100 homesteads and extensive croplands around Chowhali have been inundated, while shoals in the upazila have gone underwater.
Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.