Padma floods vast areas in three districts, thousands stranded

Rising waters of the Padma River have inundated large areas of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Kushtia, leaving thousands of families stranded and struggling with shortages of food and safe drinking water.

The flooding has forced many residents in riverine areas to move to higher ground or seek shelter with relatives and neighbours. Some families have also moved their livestock and essential belongings to safer places as several river chars have gone underwater.

The situation has disrupted daily life across affected communities, with access to basic necessities becoming increasingly difficult.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said the situation is likely to remain largely unchanged for the next two days, after which the Padma’s water level may gradually recede.

Local administrations have begun distributing relief supplies, but affected residents said the assistance has yet to match the scale of the flooding and the growing needs of stranded families.

The Padma has risen in Rajshahi amid persistent rainfall and increased downstream flows from upstream areas in India, inundating several low-lying areas and river chars.