Teesta floods low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat

The River Teesta swelled to near the danger level on Monday following heavy rainfall and a surge of upstream water, inundating low-lying areas and cropland along its banks in Lalmonirhat and triggering fears of flooding.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the river was flowing 2cm below the danger level at Dalia Point at 9am on Monday after rising 7cm above the danger mark at around 6pm on Sunday.

BWDB officials said all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage had been opened to cope with the increased water flow and urged residents living along the riverbanks to remain alert, warning that the water level could rise again at any time.

Officials said the sudden rise in the river was caused by heavy rainfall and increased upstream flows from India, including water released through the Ghazaldoba Barrage. Reports also indicated that the Teesta crossed the danger level at the Domohani and Mekhliganj points in neighbouring West Bengal.

The rising water has already inundated low-lying areas, chars and agricultural land in Hatibandha and Sadar upazilas. Crops, including paddy seedbeds, sweet pumpkins and other seasonal vegetables, have been affected by the flooding.

Several villages, including Gaddimari, Doani, Nij Sheikh Sundar, Bagher Char, Dhubani, Sindurna, Patikapara and Teesta Char, have experienced water entering homesteads and farmland.

Tamiz Uddin, a resident of Khuniagach in Sadar upazila, said many families living in the char areas have become stranded after water entered their homes.

“We are struggling to protect our cattle, children and elderly family members as the water continues to rise,” he said.

Farmer Zafar Uddin said the rising river had already begun flooding grazing land and cropland.

“If the water continues to increase, our fodder crops will suffer extensive damage,” he said. Another farmer, Shahed Mia of Gaddimari village, feared the continued rise in the river would destroy Aman paddy seedlings as well as crops such as sweet pumpkins and groundnuts.

Sunil Kumar Roy, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said officials were monitoring the flood and river erosion situation round the clock.

“We have advised people living along the riverbanks to remain vigilant as the water level may rise further,” he said.