Water levels in the Padma, Mahananda, and Punarbhaba rivers are rising rapidly in Chapainawabganj, inundating low-lying areas across five riverbank unions in Sadar and Shibganj upazilas following seven consecutive days of swell.
Floodwaters have encroached upon residential courtyards and homesteads in several districts. Extensive tracts of Aman and Aus paddy crops, summer onion fields, and vegetable plots have been submerged, whilst classes have been suspended across 13 educational institutions.
The Water Development Board (WDB) indicated that whilst the three rivers are nearing critical levels, none are expected to breach danger thresholds immediately. Water levels may continue rising until Saturday before commencing a gradual retreat. “There is currently no risk of a major flood,” stated SM Ahsan Habib, Executive Engineer of the Chapainawabganj WDB.
Despite these assurances, hardship has intensified for communities in low-lying areas. Displaced residents face critical shortages of safe drinking water, cooking facilities, and livestock fodder, alongside severe transport disruptions and crop losses.
Local administrative records show that approximately 2,500 families have been marooned, including nearly 1,800 in Sadar upazila and 700 in Shibganj. On Friday, the Padma recorded a water level of 21.76 metres at the Pankha gauge station – 29 centimetres below its 22.05-metre danger mark – after rising 11 centimetres in 24 hours.
At Khalghat, the Mahananda stood at 19.43 metres (danger mark: 20.55 metres), while the Punarbhaba reached 19.46 metres at Rohanpur (danger mark: 21.55 metres). Both the Mahananda and Punarbhaba rose by 10 centimetres over the same period.
Swelling waters from the Padma have swept into low-lying areas in Sadar’s Narayanpur union, as well as Durlabhpur, Panka, and various riverine islands (chars) in Shibganj. In Panka union, floodwaters have entered homes across Charpanka, Lakshmipur, and Natunpara.
Narayanpur Union Parishad Chairman Md Nazir Hossain reported active bank erosion at several locations, while Durlabhpur Chairman Golam Azam confirmed that farmers are rushing to harvest submerged Aus paddy before it decays. Panka Chairman Abdul Malek noted that emergency relief requests have been submitted for affected households.
Agriculture officials estimate that 362 hectares of standing crops – including Aman, Aus paddy, summer onions, and seasonal vegetables – have been submerged. Atikul Islam, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, highlighted that farmers are struggling to relocate livestock, harvests, and household assets to elevated ground.
District Primary Education Officer Md Saiful Islam confirmed that academic activities have been suspended across 13 primary schools, high schools, colleges, and madrasas in the affected unions.
Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Ikramul Hossain stated that district authorities have launched relief operations. In Shibganj, Project Implementation Officer Mizanur Rahman reported that dry rations and basic supplies are being distributed, with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mazharul Islam confirming the allocation of 30 kg of rice to 250 families. District Administrator Abu Saleh Md Musa Jangi added that further relief will be disbursed in phases following central government allocations.
50,000 marooned in Kushtia
Simultaneously, the rising Padma has inundated vast swathes of Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila, leaving roughly 50,000 residents stranded across the border unions of Ramkrishnapur and Chilmari. Authorities have indefinitely suspended classes at 18 regional educational institutions.
Surging river levels have flooded roads, residences, and infrastructure, whilst triggering severe erosion in Udaynagar, Atarpara, and Digrir Char. Several homesteads, agricultural plots, power poles, and access roads have been swept away by strong currents, which have also disrupted ferry operations along the Pabna–Rajbari route.
Displaced villagers face an additional threat from venomous snakes forced out of flooded burrows and vegetation towards elevated residential areas. “Water has surrounded our homes, and now we face the constant threat of snakebites,” shared one local resident. “Leaving the house after dark is perilous, and we are deeply concerned for our children.”
Data from the WDB shows the Padma rose 8 centimetres at the Hardinge Bridge point over 24 hours, reaching 12.98 metres on 10 September. Chilmari Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Mannan confirmed that floodwaters have invaded homes across 17 of the union’s 19 villages, affecting nearly 30,000 residents.
In neighbouring Ramkrishnapur, Chairman Siraj Mondol noted that although water has not yet breached every interior, almost all villages remain completely surrounded by floodwaters.
