Trouble looms as water level in Padma nears danger level at Rajshahi point

The Padma River at the Rajshahi point is now just 75 centimetres below the danger level.

On Saturday morning, the water level of the river reached to 17.30 metres at the Rajshahi point.  The danger level at this point is 18.05 metres.

As the water continues to rise, several char areas along the southern bank of the Padma have already been inundated even before the river has reached the danger level. Most areas of Charkhidirpur, Khanpur and several other chars opposite Rajshahi city, along the Indian border, have gone under water.

Many families in these areas have become waterlogged, while shortages of food and safe drinking water have been reported in some areas.

According to Water Development Board data, the water level at the Rajshahi point has been rising steadily over the past several days. At 6:00am on Thursday, the water level stood at 17.15 metres. By 9:00am on Friday, it had risen to 17.20 metres, and by 9:00am on Saturday, it had increased by another 10 centimetres to reach 17.30 metres.

The river had also risen significantly within a short period on Thursday. At noon that day, the water level was 17.05 metres. Three hours later, at 3:00pm, it had risen to 17.12 metres–an increase of 7 centimetres in just three hours.

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Contacted, Enamul Haque, a meter-gauge reader of the Water Development Board, told the Daily Sun that the Padma’s flowing is near the danger level, with water beginning to enter the chars along the southern bank.

He said there was currently no risk to the Rajshahi city protection embankment. However, the Water Development Board was maintaining a high level of vigilance and would take immediate measures if any vulnerable point was detected along the embankment.

Chars already inundated

Although the river at the Rajshahi point has not yet crossed the danger level, the lower-lying chars have already been flooded because of their location along the river. As a result, the impact of the rising water has become visible among riverbank communities even before the river reaches the official danger mark.

For residents of Charkhidirpur and Khanpur, the most pressing problems are access to food and safe drinking water. Further rises in the water level could also disrupt communication and normal daily life in the affected areas.

According to Water Development Board sources, the Padma has been rising for nearly 10 days due to an upstream surge. Recent measurements also show a continuing upward trend in the river's water level.

Against this backdrop, the next movement of the river at the Rajshahi point has become the key concern. If the rising trend continues, the extent of flooding in the chars could increase, with more areas potentially going under water.

The district administration has taken steps to relocate people stranded by the rising water to safer areas and distribute relief among affected families. An initiative has also been taken to operate medical camps in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, although there is currently no threat to the city protection embankment, the Water Development Board is closely monitoring the situation as the river at the Rajshahi point remains close to the danger level.