100 villages flooded in Netrakona, water overflows railway track

At least 13 unions in Durgapur and Kalmakanda upazilas of Netrakona have been hit by floods after three days of heavy rain and runoff from India, submerging over 105 villages. 

Around 350 hectares of Aman paddy land have been inundated, and the Mymensingh-Jaria railway track is now under water, posing risks to train operations.

The Someshwari, Kangsa, and Udakhali rivers are dangerously close to their overflow limits, with waters rising in other smaller rivers across the region. The Water Development Board (WDB) reported that on Sunday morning, water levels in key rivers like the Someshwari and Kangs weres just centimeters below the danger mark.

Heavy rainfall in Cherrapunji, India, contributed to the flooding, with 341 mm of rain recorded in 72 hours. Locally, 650 mm of rain was reported in Durgapur and Jharia, causing the water levels in all rivers to swell, flooding low-lying areas.

Several villages in Durgapur and Kalmakanda, including Kullagarh, Bakaljora, and Gaonkandia, have been submerged. 

Roads, educational institutions, and over 200 hectares of paddy fields in these areas are underwater, further aggravating the situation. Local union chairmen confirmed that floodwaters are affecting villages, damaging crops, and causing road breaches in some areas.

Deputy Commissioner Banani Biswas visited the affected areas and distributed three tons of rice and 300 packets of dry food to the victims. Additionally, the army provided dry food to flood-hit residents in Purbadhala.

Sarwar Jahan, executive engineer of WDB's Netrakona office, said that while water levels in major rivers are rising, there is no immediate risk of long-term flooding unless further heavy rain occurs. 

The Deputy Commissioner also confirmed that emergency relief, including 60 tonnes of rice and 2,000 packets of dry food, has been allocated to assist the affected areas.