10,000 families marooned as Teesta flows above danger level

The water level of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat has risen above the danger level due to hill torrents from upstream and several days of continuous rainfall. At present, the river is flowing 11 centimetres above the danger level.

The water first crossed the danger mark on Wednesday morning (August 13), reaching 7 centimetres above it, before falling slightly to 4 centimetres. However, at 6 am on Thursday (August 14), the water level at Teesta’s Dalia point was again recorded at 11 centimetres above the danger level.

As the water has remained above the danger level for more than 24 hours, flooding has hit the district. Around 10,000 families in 30 low-lying villages are marooned. Aman paddy fields, along with various other crops, have been submerged.

At the Dalia Teesta Barrage point, the Water Development Board (WDB) is attempting to control the water flow by opening all 44 sluice gates. The WDB has warned that heavy rainfall in the region and upstream runoff may continue for the next two days, raising the risk of short-term flooding in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, and Kurigram.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the Teesta River at Kaunia point is flowing 20 centimetres below the danger level, while the Dharla River at Shimulbari point is 10 centimetres below it.

Char areas and lowlands in Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari, and Sadar upazilas have been inundated. The affected unions include Patgram; Goddimari in Hatibandha; Dowani, Choyani, Saniyazan, Singamari, Sindurna, Holdibari, and Dowabari; Votmari, Shoilmari, and Nohali in Kaliganj; Mohishkhocha, Gobardhan, Kalmati, Bahadurpara, and Polashi in Aditmari; and Folimari, Khuniyagachh, Kulaghat, Mogholhat, Rajpur, Borobari, and Gokunda in Sadar upazila.

Locals said this is the third wave of flooding since late July and early August. They urged the government to implement the Teesta Master Plan for a permanent solution instead of repeatedly distributing relief.

Matiar Rahman of Gobardhan village in Aditmari’s Mohishkhocha union said, “I haven’t been able to cook for seven days due to the floodwater. I have kept my cattle and family members in a higher place. More than aid, I want the water to stop coming.”

Marooned resident Marzina Begum said, “It’s very difficult to arrange food for our cattle and goats. I’ve received 10 kg of rice, but this is not the solution. We need measures to prevent frequent floods.”

Abdul Alim, a farmer from Khuniyagachh union, said, “Repeated floods have destroyed my paddy, jute, and fish. I am becoming financially destitute. Without the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, there is no way out.”

Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar said, “The river is flowing above the danger level, flooding low-lying areas. A short-term flood situation has developed. The WDB is ready to respond quickly if any problem arises.”

This is the third round of flooding in the Teesta this season. The river first crossed the danger mark on July 29, the second time on August 3, and now, since August 13, it has been flowing above the danger level, with the risk not yet over.