A terrible flood has inundated the low-lying areas in Tanagil. People of six upazilas in the district are in a state of water logging.
The water levels of the Jamuna and Jhinai rivers in the district have slightly decreased but are still flowing above the danger level. On Saturday, the overall flood situation in the district remains unchanged, with some areas seeing further deterioration.
Houses, educational institutions, markets, and croplands have been submerged in floodwaters across the six upazilas of the district. Around 40,000 people in Gopalpur, Bhunapur, Kalihati, Tangail Sadar, Basail, and Nagarpur upazilas have become waterlogged due to the floods.
According to the Tangail Water Development Board (WDB) sources, the water levels of the Jamuna and Jhinai rivers have slightly decreased in the last 24 hours, but the water levels of other rivers continue to rise. The water level of the Jamuna River at Porabari Point has decreased by 3cm but is still flowing 33cm above the danger level, and the water level of the Jhinai (New Dhaleshwari) River at Jokarchar Point has decreased by 3cm but is still flowing 79 cm above the danger level.
Additionally, the water level of the Dhaleshwari River at Elasin Point is flowing 23cm above the danger level. Meanwhile, the water levels of the Fatikjani River at Nalchopa Point have increased by 17cm, the Banshai River at Kauljani Point by 8cm, the Mirzapur Point by 9cm, and the Modhupur Point by 12cm, the sources added.
With the rise in water levels in almost all the rivers of the district, approximately 40,000 people in Tangail Sadar, Gopalpur, Bhunapur, Kalihati, and Nagarpur upazilas have been affected by the flood. Bhunapur, Basail, Nagarpur, and Delduar upazilas are facing a severe threat from the advancing floodwaters. Roads and embankments in the flood-affected areas are breaking, and new areas are being swamped daily.
The intense water flow is breaking rural roads and water is entering into the residential areas. In the district, floods have submerged Aus paddy, jute, sesame, and various types of vegetables. Livestock are facing food shortages. Due to the rising water levels, riverbank erosion has been seen in various places in Bhunapur, Kalihati, Tangail Sadar, and Nagarpur upazilas.
The entire char area including 12-14 villages of Arjuna, Gabsara and Nikrail Union of Bhuapur Upazila of the district has been submerged in water. Water has entered educational institutions, mosques, temples, and homes, and many residents in the char area have taken shelter in boats, relatives' homes, or higher ground. The communication system of several villages, including Charkoyera, Koyera, Akalu, and Nalua has collapsed due to the breakdown of unpaved roads in the upazila.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Tangail sources, due to the floods, crops of around five thousand hectares of land have been submerged in the district. This includes Aush paddy, jute, sesame, and vegetable fields. Farmers will face significant losses if the water remains for an extended period. The DAE added that the extent of the damage will be determined after the water recedes.
Meanwhile, on July 7, humanitarian aid was distributed to flood-affected people in the Arjuna Union Parishad field of Bhuapur Upazila on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The relief distribution event was organised by the district administration with the assistance of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and was attended by notable guests including Joint Secretary of Tangail Awami League Tanvir Hasan Chhota Monir and district Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Kaisarul Islam.
Executive Engineer of Tangail WDB Sajjad Hossain said that the water levels of almost all rivers in Tangail are rising. Although the water levels of the Jamuna, Jhinai, and Dhaleshwari rivers have slightly decreased, they are still flowing above the danger level. As an emergency service in the erosion areas, geo bags are being deployed.
DC Md Kaisarul Islam said the district administration has taken comprehensive measures to deal with the flood. In the flood-affected areas, humanitarian aid packages from the prime minister, each weighing 14.5 kg and containing rice, lentils, oil, sugar, spices, water purification tablets, and water containers, have been distributed.
