Brimming Padma draws visitors in Pabna, residents of low-lying areas worried
The increasing water level in the mighty river Padma due to the rainy season is drawing curious visitors in Pabna while residents of the low-lying areas are increasingly worried about an early flood.
However, Hydrological Department of Water Development Board claimed that there is nothing to be worried about. They also said that increase in the water level is normal during this time of the year.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The water level at the Hardinge Bridge point is at 7.2m today, said Md Jahedul Islam, executive engineer of Hydrological Department in Pabna.
The level has been increasing by seven-eight cm per day for the last 10 days due to rainfall in the upstream, he added.
"This is very normal in the monsoon, nothing to be worried about," Jahedul said.
"Danger level of the Padma water is about 13.25m, so there is no scope of flood at this moment," the executive engineer said.
However, according to sources, low-lying areas around the river are being submerged.
"A month ago, Padma had scarcity of water so we were struggling to boat, now the increasing water in Padma brings relief for the boatmen. But recent rising water has also sunk two bighas of my cropland at the Lokkhikunda area in Ishwardi upazila," Md Robi Hossain, of Rooppur, said.
Like him most of the farmers and residents in the areas adjacent to the mighty river Padma are worried.
Meanwhile, tourists were rushing to the areas near Hardinge Bridge to see Padma in its full glory.
"Although due to natural change Padma has lost much of its glory, every year the mighty river swells up at the end of the monsoon. But this year, the rising water in Padma has begun early," Md Ziaul Haque, from the village Chatiani of Pabna, said.
Ziaul along with his family members rushed to Pakshey to observe the beauty of the nature on Friday.
Like him several hundred people rushed to see the beauty of the river brimming with water.
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