Raiganj, July 15 -- Continuous rainfall over the past few days has led to a sharp rise in the water levels of the Kulik and Nagar rivers in Raiganj subdivision of North Dinajpur district, triggering fears of flooding in several low-lying villages.
The situation has worsened as rain-fed water from Bangladesh has started entering through tributaries of the two rivers.
Residents of Bhatol, Mahipur, Jagdishpur, Fulihar and Tajpur, situated along the Nagar River, are keeping a close watch on the rising water level.
Water from the Kulik river has already inundated large stretches of paddy fields at Abdulghata, causing concern among farmers over possible crop losses.
According to local sources, heavy rainfall in areas of Bangladesh bordering Bhatol has significantly increased the flow in the Nagar, Kulik and their tributaries.
Villagers fear that if heavy rain continues over the next couple of days, several low-lying areas may be submerged.
Haripada Barman MLA Hemtabad, who visited the inundated areas, said: "We found that a culvert at Runia village was severely damaged due to the strong flow of water from the Bangladesh side through a tributary of the Nagar River. We have already spoken to engineers of the North Bengal Development Department for reconstruction of the culvert".
''We are keeping constant vigil in vulnerable areas and are fully prepared to rescue residents if the situation deteriorates," added BDO Kamaluddin Ahamed.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.