Flood hits Akhaura due to hilly runoff from upstream Tripura, 250 hectares of Aman cropland submerged.

M Badal Khandaker (District Correspondent), Brahmanbaria. A sudden flood has hit the low-lying border areas of Akhaura upazila in Brahmanbaria due to hilly runoff from India's Tripura state and continuous heavy rain. As the upstream floodwaters spread rapidly through the Howrah River and various canals, cropland, homes and roads in several unions and the municipality area of the upazila have been inundated. Residents of the low-lying areas are facing hardship. According to local and administration sources, around 250 hectares of Aman paddy fields in Akhaura South, Moghra and Moniandha unions and the municipality area have gone underwater. Water entered parts of at least 15 villages including Rahimpur, Kenduai, Bangerchar and Rajendrapur due to the sudden rise. According to initial government estimates, at least 32 families have been stranded by the floodwaters. Meanwhile, with the entry of upstream water, the water level in the Kalandi Canal adjacent to the Akhaura land port has also risen. As a result, the official operations of several import-export companies at the port are being disrupted. According to the Water Development Board, the water in the Howrah River is currently flowing about three feet below the danger level. However, locals fear the situation could worsen if there is more heavy rain upstream. On the other hand, if rainfall decreases and water pressure from upstream does not increase, the water is also likely to recede quickly. Farmers in the low-lying areas have been hit hardest by the sudden rise in water. They fear crop losses as water has entered Aman paddy fields. In some places, normal communication has also been disrupted as floodwater has risen onto roads.