Flood situation in the district’s low-lying areas has seen remarkable improvement with fall in water level in the Teesta River after decrease in rainfall and upstream water flow.
Teesta water level dropped by 39 centimeters over the past 25 hours and it is currently flowing 6 centimeters below the danger level.
Kurigram Water Development Board officials said the water levels of all rivers flowing through the district, including the Teesta, Dharala, and Dudhkumar, are currently below the danger mark.
Although the floodwaters receded in the low-lying areas and char regions of the river basin, hundreds of hectares of Aman paddy fields remained submerged.
Farmers said they have to suffer severe losses due to the unexpected flooding, which inundated their Aman crops.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 431 hectares of Aman fields and other crops were submerged due to flood but with the rapid decrease in water levels, there is no possibility of crop loss this time.
However, the erosion along the Teesta River has intensified, creating worries among local people.
Besides, Abdul Hamid High School, a two-story flood shelter, and a community clinic in the area are at risk and these structures may also be lost to the river if swift action is not taken, he said.
Abdul Majid, a resident of Gharialdanga Union of Rajarhat upazila, expressed concerns saying that their crops suffered significant damage from the two days of flooding. “Teesta erosion has started and we are very worried,” he added.
Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of the Kurigram Agricultural Extension Department, said nearly 450 hectares of crops were submerged by floodwaters.
While damage to the transplanted Aman is minimal, there is concern about potential losses to other crops, he said.
“We are unable to carry out necessary erosion control measures due to lack of emergency work permits. Once we receive permission, we will begin work in the erosion-affected areas,” he said.
