Continuous rain and water from upstream have raised the level of most of Kishoreganj's rivers over the past 24 hours, though the water fell slightly at one point, according to the Water Development Board. Boro paddy in the district's haor region has suffered extensive damage, with paddy on about 7,000 hectares already submerged.

The office of the executive engineer of the Kishoreganj Water Development Board said at 9am on 2 May that the Dhanu-Baulai river at the Itna point had risen to 3.06 metres, 5 centimetres higher than the previous day. The Meghna at Chamraghat stood at 2.73 metres, up 10 centimetres, and the Kalni at Austagram at 2.45 metres, up 15 centimetres.

At the Bhairab Bazar point, the Meghna fell slightly to 1.80 metres, 7 centimetres lower than the day before.

The Water Development Board said all rivers are still flowing below the danger level, by 109 to 400 centimetres at different points. Those concerned fear, however, that river levels could rise again if upstream water and rain continue, causing further damage to crops in the haors.

Local farmers said paddy on thousands of hectares has already gone under water, leaving them deeply uncertain about bringing the crop home. There was sunshine yesterday, but rain has continued since this morning, making it hard to dry the paddy on the drying yards. If it cannot be dried, it will rot.

Md Sajjad Hossain, executive engineer of the Kishoreganj Water Development Board, said the situation is being monitored around the clock. The local administration and farmers have been asked to stay alert to possible risks, and farmers had earlier been advised to harvest their paddy quickly.

Dr Sadikur Rahman, deputy director of the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), said field-level data up to Thursday afternoon showed 6,768 hectares under water, with the greatest damage in Itna and Austagram upazilas. The risk of major damage may ease if the rainfall does not increase, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.