The water levels of major rivers in Jamalpur are increasing rapidly due to the onrush of hilly water from upstream and continuous heavy rains. The rivers Jamuna, Brahmaputra and Jinjiram in the district continued to rise while different areas in Jamalpur have already gone under floodwater.
On Friday afternoon, the Jamuna river is flowing 77cm above the danger level. Around 10,000 people have already been marooned in the district due to flash floods.
Local sources said Chikajani, Chukaibari, Bahadurabad of Dewanganj upazila; Chinaduli, Noarpara, Kulkandi, Pathorshi, Sapdhari and Belgachha of Islampur upazila; Ghosherpara, Adra, Mahmudpur, Nangla and Kulia of Melandah upazila; and Char Pakerdah Union of Madarganj upazila have been flooded. At least 10,000 people of these unions have become waterlogged. Thousands of hectares of cropland have gone under water.
Road communications in various unions and areas of the riverside grasslands are being disrupted due to rising water. As the flood water rises, so does the suffering of the people. Due to the flood, people's houses started getting water. Many have started taking shelters with their family members and livestock as their houses were flooded.
Meanwhile, in Katharbil area of Dewanganj upazila, 30-metre portion of Dewanganj-Sanandbari regional road has been broken by the flow of flood water. For this reason, road communications between Parramrampur, Char Amkhawa, Dangdhara Union and neighbouring Kurigram district's Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas has been cut off with the headquarters of Dewanganj upazila.
Apart from this, road communications with Kholabari and Gaibandha districts have been stopped as a bridge connecting road on Dewanganj-Kholabari route in the same upazila was washed away.
Rafiqul Islam, executive engineer of Jamalpur Water Development Board, said in the last 24 hours, the water level of Jamuna river increased by 75cm at Bahadurabad ghat point of Dewanganj. The river was flowing 77cm above the danger level in the afternoon. Water may continue to rise in the next week. He also said there is a possibility of moderate flood this time.
District relief and rehabilitation officer Alamgir Hossain said the low-lying areas of 11 unions in Dewanganj, Islampur and Madarganj upazilas were inundated with flood water. Six shelters have been opened in Dewanganj upazila for flood victims. About 100 families of Chukaibari Union of Dewanganj Upazila have already left their homes and taken shelters. A total of 300 metric tons of rice and 3,400 packets of dry food have been allocated in seven upazilas of the district to help the flood victims.
He also said all preparations have been taken to deal with the flood.
Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner Md Shafiur Rahman said the district administration has all kinds of preparations to deal with the flood situation. An emergency meeting of the district administration has already been held with all the departments. Each sector is working properly from its own position to deal with the flood situation.
