The flood situation along the banks of the Dudhkumar river in Kurigram's Nageshwari upazila has gradually improved as the river water continues to recede. After several days of inundation, floodwaters have started to withdraw from the affected villages.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has begun placing sand-filled geo bags on the unfinished 300-metre section of a river embankment on the river's right bank to prevent further flooding.
According to the BWDB, the emergency protection work has, for the time being, stopped river water from entering nearby localities through the damaged embarkment.
The Dudhkumar river was flowing 27 centimetres below the danger level (29.60 metres) at the Pateshwari point in Nageshwari upazila at 9:00am today. Water levels in the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, Gangadhar and Jinjiram rivers in Kurigram were also below their respective danger levels. In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta and Dharla rivers were likewise flowing below the danger level, according to the BWDB.
BWDB officials in Kurigram said work on a 3,100-metre embankment is under way on the right bank of the Dudhkumar river in Bamandanga union of Nageshwari. Of the total length, 2,800 metres have been completed. Work on the remaining 300 metres in the Adarshapara area has been delayed due to complications in land acquisition, leaving the section without permanent protection.
Around 40 metres of the old, low and narrow embankment at the site were washed away by strong currents, allowing floodwater to enter several villages.
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Photo: S Dilip Roy
To contain the situation, the authorities began placing sand-filled geo bags on the exposed section yesterday. The temporary measure has so far prevented additional river water from entering nearby villages.
Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of the Kurigram BWDB, said the contractor could not complete the remaining 300 metres of the embankment because of resistance from local people. The unprotected section has now become the area's biggest flood vulnerability.
"Whenever the Dudhkumar river rises, water overtops the old, low and narrow embankment and floods nearby villages," he said. "Once the water fully recedes, we will immediately complete construction of the remaining 300-metre section. After that, several villages in Bamandanga union will be protected from future flooding."
He added that although the flood situation had worsened along the Dudhkumar over the past few days, conditions have been improving since this morning as floodwater continues to recede. The overall flood situation has also improved considerably.
Locals said floodwater entered homes and cropland through the damaged embankment, leaving large areas of farmland submerged. Moreover, sand from geo bag had also been deposited on agricultural land, making cultivation impossible.
They said large amounts of sand had also been deposited on agricultural land, making cultivation impossible unless it is removed.
Bamandanga Union Parishad Chairman Asaduzzaman Roni said the failure to complete the remaining section of the embankment allowed the old structure to collapse, causing floodwater to inundate Bamandanga, Adarshapara, Miyapara, Telani Kuti, Senpara and several other villages.
He said vast areas of cropland remain underwater, while a major rural earthen road has been severely damaged by strong currents. At least 1,500 families in the union have been affected by the flooding.
"Although floodwater has receded from most areas, residents of several villages adjacent to the damaged embankment are still marooned. It will take some more time before water fully drains from those areas," he added.
Nageshwari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) HM Khodadad Hossain said the overall flood situation has improved. But the farmers have suffered the greatest losses.
"Sand-filled geo bags have been placed on the vulnerable section to temporarily prevent further flooding," he said. "We have discussed with the BWDB the urgent completion of the remaining 300 metres of the embankment. Once the work is finished, several villages in Bamandanga Union will receive lasting protection from sudden flooding caused by the Dudhkumar river."
