Some low-lying areas in Chapainawabganj district have been inundated as water levels in the Padma, Mahananda and Punarbhaba rivers continued to rise on Saturday due to an onrush of water from the upstream, leaving around 4,350 families waterlogged.

Over the past 24 hours till Saturday moirning, the water level of the Padma rose by 3 centimetres, while the Mahananda and Punarbhaba rose by 7 centimetres each.

However, the water levels of all three rivers are still flowing below their respective danger marks, according to the Water Development Board.

As of Saturday morning, the Padma was flowing 26 centimetres below the danger level, while the Mahananda and Punarbhaba were flowing 1.05 metres and 2.02 metres below their respective danger marks, respectively, it said.

With the continued rise in the Padma, new areas in low-lying areas of Narayanpur and Alatuli unions of Sadar upazila and Panka, Durlabhpur and Ujirpur unions of Shibganj upazila have been inundated.

Water has entered roads, homes, shops and educational institutions in some areas, while croplands have also gone underwater, causing severe hardship to people living in the affected areas.

Deputy Commissioner Abu Saleh Md Musa Jangi said around 4,350 families have become stranded.

Relief assistance is being provided to the affected families, he said.

Water Development Board Executive Engineer Ahsan Habib said the rate of increase in the river water levels has started to slow.

There is no immediate risk of flooding. We expect the water levels to start falling after the next two days, he said.