Photo: Collected
Water level of the Padma River has started rise following opening of all 109 gates of the Farakka Barrage by India. This has spread panic among the residents of the riverside area. They are busy protecting their homes and assets due to the fear of floods.
According to the local residents of Padma bank, the water level has been increasing rapidly since yesterday (Monday), which has caused concern among them.
The opening of the Farakka Barrage gates has created a flood situation in the Indian part at present also.
However, the hydrologists of Bangladesh have assured that the water of Padma will remain below the danger level in the next three days and there is no danger of flooding for Bangladesh.
At 6pm on Monday (26 August), the water level of Padma river at Barakuthi point in Rajshahi was 16.30 meters. Earlier on Sunday ( 25 August) at 6 pm, the water level at the Rajshahi border of the Padma river was 16.27 cm. Saturday ( 24 August 24) at 6 pm was 16.24 cm. At this time, water flows in the river 1.75 cm below the danger line. The danger level of Padma river in Rajshahi is 18.05 cm (SOB scale).
The Padma River to rise rapidly in Rajshahi after India opened the Farakka gates. Flood water has already entered Charkhidirpur area of Rajsshahi. Massive erosion has started in the river in Paba, Bagha and Godagari parts of the district, causing serious concern to the locals.
Ashraful Haque is a farmer of Charkhidirpur, said, “Our crop land in Charkhidirpur area of Padma is now completely submerged under water. I am afraid that my crops will be destroyed”.
Water Development Board (WDB) Northern Hydrological Measurement Division said that the water level of Padma river started rising from Sunday afternoon and it is still on. At Pangkha Point of Shibganj Upazila of Chapainawabganj, the height of water was 20.48 meters at 6 am and 9 am on Monday, which increased to 20.50 meters at 3 pm. At Pangkha Point, the level is fixed at 22.05 meters.
The water level of Padma river at Barakuthi point adjacent to city protection of Rajshahi city is fixed at 18.05 meters. The water level here was 16.27 meters at 6 am on Monday, which rose by another centimeter at 9 am. At 3 pm and 6 pm the water height was recorded at 16.30 meters at Barakuthi Point. Water is flowing 1.75 meters below the danger line.
Rezaul Karim, Executive Engineer of the Northern Hydrological Measurement Division, said that usually the river water is forecasted for 10 days. As such, there is no danger of the Padma water crossing the limit in the next 10 days. However, if the upstream flow continues, it will be possible to determine the actual status of the Padma water and the subsequent situation.
Bangladesh Water Development Board officials said that various districts of northern Bangladesh including Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj are at risk of flooding due to opening of Farakka Barrage. However, in the next three days, the water of Padma will remain below the danger level and there is no danger of flooding of Bangladesh. According to them, there is no reason to panic right now, but everyone is advised to be cautious.
Apart from this, thousands of people living on the banks of the Padma of Ishwardi in Pabna are spending their days in extreme fear as all the shutters of the Farakka dam have been opened. Residents of Rajshahi region are in fear of floods.
However, India's Ministry of External Affairs says that opening the gates of the Farakka barrage is a normal event, which is done during the monsoon season. Last night, in response to a question from journalists on this issue, the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, claimed this.
He said that efforts are being made to create an atmosphere of fear by spreading false videos and rumors to create misunderstanding between the two countries. This effort will be strongly countered with information.
