Water levels in the Teesta River continued to rise on Tuesday following heavy rainfall and increased upstream flows, bringing the river close to the danger mark and inundating low-lying areas across several northern districts of Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials, the river was flowing at 52.00 metres at the Dalia point in Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha upazila at 12 pm, 15 centimetres below the danger level. Earlier in the day, the water level was recorded at 52.05 metres at 9am, 10 centimetres below the danger mark, and just five centimetres below the threshold at 6am.
As water pressure increased, authorities opened all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage at Dalia to regulate the flow and reduce the risk of further flooding.
At least 6,000 families living in char areas of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts have become stranded by floodwaters, according to Ahsan Habib, superintendent engineer of the BWDB.
Several low-lying areas along the river have already been inundated. In Hatibandha upazila, floodwater entered Goddimari, Doani, Saniyajan, Nij Sheikh Sundar, Bagher Char, Singimari, Dhubni, Sindurna, Patikapara and Dauabari. Shailmari, Char Bairati and Rudreshwar in Kaliganj upazila, along with Mahishkhocha, Gobardhan and Sparbandh areas of Aditmari upazila, were also affected.
Agricultural land in the Teesta char regions of Rangpur’s Gangachara, Kaunia and Pirgachha upazilas, as well as parts of Kurigram and Gaibandha districts, has gone under water. Farmers reported damage to peanut fields, Aman seedbeds, sweet pumpkin plantations and other crops.
Many growers expressed concern over fluctuating river levels, saying floodwater was damaging seedbeds prepared for the upcoming Aman cultivation season and forcing some to consider replanting.
Residents living along the Teesta fear conditions could worsen if water levels continue to rise.
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam said local authorities had been instructed to identify affected households in riverine char areas.
“Dry food assistance will be distributed as soon as we receive the lists,” he said.
Amitav Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board in Dalia, said the river remained below the danger mark but warned that continued rainfall and upstream inflows could cause further increases during the day.
“The river was flowing 10 centimetres below the danger level at 9am and is now 15 centimetres below the danger mark. Water levels may increase further as rainfall continues,” he said.
Officials are continuing to monitor the situation as rising water levels threaten additional flooding in vulnerable communities across northern Bangladesh.
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