In Sherpur’s Nalitabari, heavy rains for the past three days and upstream water from the hills have caused the Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers to flow above the danger level. The overflowing riverbanks have flooded homes, and residents fear the embankment might break in the new bus stand area of Gagkanda.
On Tuesday (July 2) morning, water levels were reported to be 314 cm at the Baromari Bazar point of Chellakhali river and 47 cm at the Nalitabari point of Bhogai river, according to Water Development Board gauge readers Alamgir Hossain and Mukul Mia.
Continuous heavy rains and upstream currents from Meghalaya caused high water flow in the Bhogai and Chellakhali rivers. The overflowing riverbanks have inundated areas like Garakanda new bus stand, Govindanagar, and Sannyasivita, affecting around 200 families.
Floodwaters have closed the Nalitabari-Gazirkhamar-Sherpur road and damaged paddy fields, vegetable fields, and fish ponds in the lower areas. The extent of the damage will be assessed once the floodwaters recede.
Nalitabari Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Masud Rana stated that the water has temporarily increased due to the rain, and it will recede once the rain stops. The upazila administration will support the affected families.