RAJSHAHI, Sept 03: The water level in the Padma River near Rajshahi and surrounding upazilas is rising rapidly.
Meanwhile, the rising water has already inundated several low-lying areas and roads in the char areas of Chakrajapur Union bordering Bagha Upazila in Rajshahi, mainly due to the onrush of water from upstream.
In some places, water is flowing over paved roads, causing extreme suffering to residents of the char villages. They are also living in fear of flooding and river erosion if the water level continues to rise.
Local residents said that every year during the monsoon, low-lying areas of the villages are inundated as the water level of the Padma rises.
This year, however, concerns have intensified as the water level has been rising continuously for the past week.
People in 14-15 char villages, including Palashiftepur, Dadpur, Chakrajapur and Kalidaskhali, are living in fear of flooding.
Villagers said a section of the Chakrajapur-Khairhat road has already been submerged. In some places, knee-deep water has accumulated on the road.
Vehicles and pedestrians are moving through the water at their own risk. They fear that if the water level continues to rise, road communication between the surrounding villages and the upazila headquarters will be completely cut off.
Mostafizur Rahman and Laili Begum, teachers at Chakrajapur High School, said the water level in the Padma has been rising continuously for the past week. Several roads and low-lying areas have already been submerged. If the water level rises further, the situation could become dire, making it difficult for them to attend school.
Residents of the char areas fear that if the water does not recede soon, vast stretches of low-lying charland may be inundated and river erosion could occur, causing extensive damage to homes, croplands and roads and leaving thousands of char residents and their livestock displaced and homeless.
Locals said that when floods hit the char areas, the first concern is the scarcity of safe drinking water. They also face shortages of food and fodder for livestock. As floodwaters rise, many families have to leave their homes and move to safer places. Some are forced to take shelter in local educational institutions.
Azizul Alam, former chairman of Chakrajapur Union, said most people in the union are landless and depend on hard labour for their livelihoods. They earn their living through farming during the dry season and fishing during the rainy season.
Over the years, infrastructure, including electricity supply and roads, has been developed in the char villages. But if the flooding becomes severe, crops on the charland will be submerged and the newly constructed roads could be damaged.
Local residents have urged the authorities to take necessary measures to protect vulnerable roads before the Padma water level rises further. They also demanded advance preparations to ensure the safety of people in the flood-prone char areas and to provide safe drinking water, food for residents and fodder for livestock.
Bagha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Taqi Faisal Talukder could not be contacted for comment as he was on sick leave.
