Thousands marooned as flash flood hits Kurigram

Thousands of people have been marooned in low-lying areas of Roumari upazila in Kurigram due to flash floods triggered by the recent rains and onrush of upstream water.

Local sources said more than 30,000 people are marooned in six unions of the upazila and paddy fields were submerged following the rise in water level of the Brahmaputra and Jinjiram Rivers in India.

The flood situation worsened in Dharmapur, Chatkaraibari, Khetarchar, Gachbari, Italukanda, Kauniarchar, Kajaikata in Datbhanga union, Goytapara, Boalmari, Begularchar, Chatlakanda, Taluachar, Jhunkichar of Shoulmari union, Mandalpara, Natanpara, Chandarpara, Izlamari, Charaijalamari, Madartila, Char Isakuri, Boraibari, Chuliarchar, Jhaubari, Patadhoa Para, Bauar Gram, Dhublabari in Roumari union, Baishpara, Faluarchar, Baghmara, Baladmara of Bondaber union, Puraton Jadurchar, Kheuarchar, Namabakbanda, Dakkhin Algarchar, Char Lathial Danga, Pakhiura dhanarchar in Jadurchar union, Char Ghughumari, Khauria and Sukherbati in Char Shoulmari union.

Abu Syed of Madartila village said the paddy fields went under water due to the recent flash flood.

“I have to harvest immature paddy to avoid huge loss,” he also said.

Abdul Kaiyum of Mandalpara village said he brought one bigha of land under vegetable cultivation and now all vegetables went under water due to the heavy rainfall.

Salim Uddin, a farmer of Isakuri village, said, “ I have brought my three bighas of land under paddy cultivation after harvesting maize but all my dreams were dashed due to the rains.”

Jadurchar Union Parishad Chairman Sorbesh Ali said around 1,000 houses have been submerged in three villages of the union. Croplands went underwater. Many of the villagers have taken shelter on high lands and neighbour’s houses with their cattle and valuables.

Nabab Ali, 65, a farmer of Bokbandha village said his two acres of jute and vegetable lands went under water.

Crops of the land will be damaged if water does not recede within two or three days, he apprehended.

Roumari Upazila Agriculture Officer Kaium Chowdhury said around 100 acres of croplands have been submerged in the villages of the Jadurchar union.

He also said the loss caused by the rains might be little as many farmers have harvested their paddy from the field but vegetable crops land and Aman seedbed was badly damaged due to rains.

Nasir Hossain, head teacher of Bokbandha Junior Girls’ School at Jadurchar village of the upazila said the school is surrounded by flood water.

Upazila Education Officer Nazrul Islam said, “We received information that some 21 schools have been submerged in the upazila. Of them, 13 are at Jadurchar union. Academic activities of the school are being hampered.”

Azizur Rahman, Project Implementation Officer of Roumari upazila, said they are observing the overall situation closely.

“Necessary steps will be taken if the flood situation worsens further,” he added.