Khowai starts swelling early, flooding Habiganj

Before the rainy season sets foot in the country, Habiganj is experiencing early flooding as the Khowai river has crossed the danger line and still continues to swell.

Some areas of Habiganj including roads have been flooded due to the swelling of Khowai river. No potential loss of life and property has been reported till now.

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Khowai river has crossed the danger line at Balla border and Machulia points in Habiganj, M L Soikot, Sub-divisional Engineer of Habiganj Water Development Board, told our correspondent.

The danger line of water is 21.80 metres and at present the river is flowing 7 cm above at the point, the official said.

At Machulia, the danger line is 9.50 metres and the river is flowing 30 cm above it, he said.

Still the water level is rising rapidly as there is intermittent rain in the district.

"As rain is pouring down, the water level is increasing," Tofazzal Sohel, General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Habiganj unit, told our correspondent.

Due to the indiscriminate encroachment and siltation, there is not enough room for rain water which is causing the flood, he said.

"We are closely following up the situation," he added.