Rivers in Sherpur are rising fast with continuous rain and hill torrents from the Meghalaya region of India upstream, raising fears of temporary flooding in low-lying parts of the district.

Heavy rain and hill torrents began in Sherpur's hilly border areas on the morning of Thursday, 9 July. River levels were normal in the morning but rose quickly from the afternoon, and water was reported entering various low-lying areas.

According to the Sherpur Water Development Board at 3pm on Thursday, the Chellakhali was flowing 206 centimetres above the danger level, and the district's other rivers were also rising steadily.

At the Nakugaon point the Bhogai was 164 centimetres below the danger level in the morning but 64 centimetres below it in the afternoon. At the Nalitabari point it rose from 152 centimetres below the danger level in the morning to just 43 centimetres below by evening.

With the Chellakhali over the danger level, there are fears of erosion along its banks and damage to embankments, and local people are worried.

In Jhenaigati upazila the rising Maharshi river has flooded the upazila sadar bazar, and the swollen Someshwari has sent water into homes in several parts of the upazila. Hill torrents have also brought water into Ranishimul union of Sreebardi upazila and areas of other unions, including Gobindapur, Chakrapur and Baraikuchi.

Md Hasib-ul-Ahsan, assistant commissioner (land) of Sreebardi upazila, said dry food had already been given to 70 families, and information was being collected from different areas.

Sudipta Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Sherpur Water Development Board, said: "River levels in Sherpur are rising because of heavy rain upstream. The rain has already eased somewhat. If there is no rain upstream, the risk of major damage is low. We are monitoring the situation round the clock and will give help in an emergency."

According to the board, 136.50 millimetres of rain was recorded at the Sherpur point in the previous 24 hours, 110 millimetres at Nalitabari and 106 millimetres at Nakugaon.

Md Shakil Ahmed, additional deputy commissioner (general) of Sherpur, said disaster committees were active in every upazila and relief was being given at upazila level as needed. If the situation went out of control anywhere, the district administration would take full measures.

The situation followed heavy rain in the Meghalaya region of India over the previous 24 hours.

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