Staff Reporter, Gaibandha/

Due to the heavy rains of the last few days and the rise of the Teesta river due to the hill slopes coming down from the upstream, water has entered the localities of several areas of Belka, Haripur Union of Sundarganj Upazila of Gaibandha. The people of that area are running on the dam to take shelter with cows and goats, poultry and essential items.

According to Upazila Parishad sources, 8 out of 15 unions of Sundarganj Upazila are surrounded by rivers. 7 Teesta Rivers and one Union Ghaghat River. 7 Unions surrounded by Teesta River are Tarapur, Belka, Haripur, Sreepur, Kapasia, Chandipur and Kanchibari. And Ghaghat river passes over Bamondanga union. When the flood comes, the people on the river banks begin to suffer. However, at present the water of Ghaghat river is flowing 104 cm below the flood limit, but the people on the banks of Teesta river have started to suffer. There, water is flowing 47 cm above the danger line.

Chairman of Haripur Union Parishad on Sunday afternoon. When talking to Mojaharul Islam, he said, “The water has increased since last night (Saturday). That is why UNO sir has not been told yet, but I am informing him.

The chairman also said that 6 villages of his union have been flooded. Kani Charitabari, Char Charitabari, Nokiar Para, Para Sadua, Madari Para and Raghav Genduram villages have started flooding. People around it have started coming to the dam to take safe shelter.

Haripur Union of Nakia Para village. Muslim Uddin (55) said, “There was no water even when sleeping at night.” Suddenly woke up at 1 am to the sound of water. I woke up and saw water entering the house. All 4 of my rooms are now knee deep. The water is not decreasing, but it is increasing.

He also said, “I am taking the family inside the house somehow. And I am making arrangements to send the goats to my son-in-law’s house.

Belka Union Parishad Chairman Maulana Md. Ibrahim Khalilullah said, “About 300 families in my union have become water-tight. A list of affected families is being compiled. The water is gradually increasing. If this situation continues, we will have to move to the shelter.

In this regard, Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Noor-e-Alam told CNBangladesh, “We are very active in this regard.” Meanwhile, the chairmen of the concerned Union Parishads have been asked to list the families along with the affected areas. Necessary action will be taken once the lists are received. Apart from this, the shelters have also been opened. If there are more problems, the affected families can take refuge in it.

District Water Development Board Executive Engineer. Hafizul Islam said, “At 3 in the afternoon, the water of the Teesta river has flowed 47 cm above the water line. Apart from this, the water level is 29.22 meters and the boundary is 28.75 meters.