Teesta water falls below danger mark after overnight surge

Floodwater has already left about 2,550 families marooned in Nilphamari

The Teesta River's water level has dropped below the danger mark in Nilphamari after receding from an overnight rise triggered by heavy rain and upstream flows.

At noon on Tuesday, the Teesta Barrage water level at Dalia was recorded at 52.10m, just 5cm below the danger mark of 52.15m, according to Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) gauge reader Nurul Islam.

Earlier on Tuesday, the river flowed 4cm above the danger level at 9am and 7cm above it at 6am.

On Monday night, it peaked at 52.25m, 10cm above the danger mark, after days of rain and hilly runoff swelled the river.

BWDB Executive Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury said all 44 gates of the barrage had been opened overnight to keep the situation under control. The river began receding from dawn.

Residents said floodwater inundated low-lying areas in Dimla and Jaldhaka Upazilas on Monday afternoon.

Abdul Latif Khan, chairman of Purbachhatnay Union council in Dimla Upazila, said flooding had left about 1,200 families stranded in the union's Jharsingheswar and Purbachhatnay villages since Monday afternoon.

Tepakharibari Union council Chairman Robiul Islam Shahin said around 1,350 families in Char areas had also been marooned by the rising river.