Onrush of hill water from the upstream and incessant rainfall have flooded around 500 villages in char (Shoal emerged from the riverbed) areas in five upazilas of the district, leaving at least one lakh people marooned.

Water of the Jamuna is flowing 29 centimetres above the danger line, accentuating erosion by the river at several points, said Sayed Hasan Imam, executive engineer of Water Development Board of the district.

Nine unions of Kazipur upazila, five of sadar upazila, three of Belkuchi upazila, seven of Chowhali upazila and three unions of Shahjadpur upazila are reeling under floodwater, said WDB sources.

Sources at the Department of Agriculture Extension reported that several hundred acres of land have been flooded.

Besides, around 50 houses at Enayetpur in Chowhali upazila have been devoured by the Jamuna due to the river erosion triggered by the overflow of water, said Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rezaul Bari. 

Deputy Commissioner of the district Billal Hossain said the local administration has already distributed 15 tonnes of rice and Tk 2.05 lakh as relief among the flood affected people of Kazipur and Shahjadpur upazilas.