Four rivers in the northeastern border region of Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, are flowing above the danger threshold as a result of ongoing rains and water surges from India.

Riverbank erosion and the inundation of more than fifty communities have resulted from the water levels of the Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, and Juri rivers rising above the danger mark.

Villages in the Sadar, Rajnagar, Kamalganj, Kulaura, Juri, and Barlekha upazilas have been submerged, affecting more than 150,000 people who are now trapped in floodwaters.

As the water level continues to rise, panic is spreading among the residents.

In its regular bulletin on Wednesday, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said that the rising water levels are due to the influence of a low-pressure system in the sea and heavy rainfall in India.

In the district, the Juri River is flowing approximately 174 centimeters above the danger level, the Dhalai River 8 centimeters, and the Manu River 105 centimeters above the danger mark.

Additionally, the Kushiyara River at the Sherpur Point in Moulvibazar has almost reached the danger level.

Md Javed Iqbal, executive engineer of the Moulvibazar BWDB, said: “The water level is rising dangerously. Water from the rivers is overflowing the embankments and entering residential areas. Even after placing geo-bags, we are unable to control the situation.”

He also said that riverbank erosion occurred in several places including Tila Gaon area of the Manu River in Kulaura Upazila, followed by Rajnagar. “Due to the overflowing riverbanks, it is difficult to determine the extent of the erosion.”

Meanwhile, a special meeting of the Moulvibazar District Disaster Management Committee will be held in the afternoon in the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.