Teesta River water level continues to rise, hundreds stranded

The water level of the Teesta River continues to rise amid heavy rain. Flooding and landslides have stranded hundreds of villagers in low-lying areas along the river’s left bank in Lalmonirhat.

At 6am on Wednesday, the river was flowing at 52.22m at Teesta Barrage Point in Hatibandha Upazila, said Amitabh Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Dalia Division of the Water Development Board.

That reading is 7cm above the danger level of 52.15m, he said, noting that the water had been climbing since morning.

“At 6am, the water flowed 7cm above the danger level,” he added.

“On Tuesday afternoon, the water flow at this point was 1cm above the danger level.”

Tahidul Islam, deputy assistant engineer (water branch) of the Dalia Division, said the rise was driven by heavy rainfall and mountain runoff.

“The low-lying areas and Char villages have been submerged,” he said.

“The water level may rise further by the evening. Forty-four sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened to deal with the situation.”

The flooding marks the third time in recent weeks that low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat have been inundated, amid persistent rain and upstream runoff. Officials say the increased water flow is placing pressure on roads and embankments along the riverbanks.

Residents in the southern Bhotmari area of Kaliganj Upazila said the installation of solar panels had altered the river’s course, allowing water to enter localities and threatening embankments and roads with erosion.

“If the embankment breaks, the river water may enter Kaliganj town,” one local said.

“The water pressure is coming down on the roads and embankments of the locality due to the solar panels,” said Shamsul Alam, a resident of Bhotmari.

“If these are not protected, thousands of homes and a substantial amount of cropland will be lost to the river.”

“The water has been rising since yesterday morning,” said Aminul Islam of Gobardhan village in Aditmari Upazila.

“The roads and Ghats in the Char area have been submerged. People have been stranded by waterlogging.”

“Water has entered the low-lying areas,” said Hamidur Rahman, a farmer from Dauabari Union in Hatibandha.

“Alongside our cropland and livestock, we are in danger too. We need urgent cooperation from the administration.”

“When the river water crosses the danger mark, more than 1,500 families in nine wards of my union get are stranded,” said Mashiur Rahman, chairman of Dauabari Union Parishad.

“The water in the Teesta continues to rise due to upstream floods and rain,” said Shunil Kumar, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat office of the Water Development Board.

“Residents of the low-lying areas have been asked to remain alert and risky embankments are under constant observation.”