Teesta water crosses danger level, floods low-lying areas

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past few days, along with upstream runoff, has caused the Teesta River to cross the danger level. Water flow at the Dalia point of the country’s largest irrigation project, Teesta Barrage, was recorded at 52.25 meters at 6:00 am on Monday (October 6), 10 centimeters above the danger mark. As a result, several low-lying areas, roads, and homes in the district have been inundated.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported that, as of 9:00 am on Monday, water in the Teesta River had been flowing above the danger level for at least 12 hours. Areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram districts are at risk of flooding.

Locals said heavy rainfall and upstream surges over the past two days have continuously increased the river’s water level. In just 12 hours from Sunday morning to evening, the water rose by nearly 80 centimeters. From 6:00 pm on Sunday, the water began flowing above the danger level and remained there by 6:00 am on Monday. Many families living near the riverbanks are now stranded, and fish farms, transplanted Aman paddy fields, vegetable plots, and riverbank roads have been submerged. People are now moving around using boats and bamboo rafts.

Meanwhile, at the Kaunia point of the Teesta River, water flow on Sunday evening was 80 centimeters below the danger mark, rising to 25 centimeters below by Monday morning. At the Shimulbari point of the Dharla River, water was 180 centimeters below the danger level on Sunday evening, rising to just 3 centimeters below by Monday morning.

Shiuli Begum, a resident of Gobardhan village in Aditmari Upazila, Lalmonirhat, said, “The roads are submerged, and our pond fish have floated away. The water is rising as the day progresses. Last night, water entered our house. We spent the night struggling with our cattle. Now the water is waist-deep inside our home. Unless the Teesta Master Plan is implemented, we will not get relief from this suffering.”

Shamsul Islam, a resident of Sindurna area, added, “Since yesterday afternoon, the river water has been rising. Homes in low-lying areas are submerged. We are now stranded. Over the past two months, water has repeatedly entered and receded, causing us immense hardship.”

Dr. Shaikhul Arifin, Deputy Director of Lalmonirhat Agriculture Extension Department, said, “Transplanted Aman paddy, peanuts, and vegetables are currently growing along the Teesta riverbanks. If the water remains for three to four days, farmers will face significant losses. However, if it recedes within one or two days, the damage will be comparatively less.”

Sunil Kumar, Executive Engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said, “The water level of the Teesta River continues to rise due to heavy rainfall and upstream surges. This trend may continue. We are closely monitoring the situation and have urged riverside residents to remain alert through public announcements.”

Mononit Das, Executive Officer of Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila, said, “Due to upstream surges and several days of heavy rainfall in Bangladesh, the Teesta River has exceeded the danger level. The Upazila administration is fully prepared to deal with potential flooding.”