Water levels in the Padma and Jamuna rivers have risen sharply in Pabna following an upstream surge, flooding thousands of bighas of cropland in river islands and low-lying areas.
The Padma has already risen close to its danger level, while further increases could worsen the situation, according to local residents. Farmers in several areas are facing significant losses as fields have gone underwater.
Thousands of bighas of farmland in Lakshikunda, Digrir Char, Dadapur and Char Kurulia in Ishwardi Upazila, as well as Char Bhabanipur and Shanikdiar in Pabna Sadar Upazila, have been inundated.
Water has reached waist height in some fields and knee height in others. Early varieties of crops, vegetables and other cultivated produce are now at risk, turning farmers' hopes for a good harvest into uncertainty.
Local farmers said they had invested in different crops and vegetables expecting a good yield. However, the river levels have risen unusually quickly over the past few days, submerging large areas of farmland. They fear remaining crops will also be damaged if the water continues to rise.
According to the Water Development Board, the danger level of the Padma at the Hardinge Bridge point in Pabna is 13.80 metres. The water level was recorded at 13.06 metres on Monday morning, just 74 centimetres below the danger mark.
At the Aricha point, the Jamuna was recorded at 7.83 metres, against a danger level of 8.95 metres.
The rising river levels have also caused concern among residents of char areas and low-lying riverbank communities. They fear more farmland and low-lying areas could be flooded if the water continues to rise.
Farmers in riverbank areas are among those facing the greatest risk. They have called for assistance for affected farmers and early preparations to deal with any potential flooding.
The administration has not yet compiled a complete estimate of the area of farmland inundated or the overall extent of damage.
Pabna Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam said authorities were closely monitoring the overall flood situation. He said nearly 100 tonnes of government relief rice, 300 packets of dry food and funds for cash assistance have already been allocated.
He added that the situation is being monitored through district- and upazila-level disaster management committees.
