Due to continuous rainfall and a heavy upstream inflow, the water level of Teesta River has risen rapidly again.
According to The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), the water levels of all major rivers in Bangladesh are currently flowing below the danger mark.
Authorities have warned of possible flooding in several low-lying districts over the next few days.
Heavy rainfall is likely over the next 2 days in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and adjoining areas of West Bengal, India.
Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, along with nearby parts of Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura, are expected to receive significant rainfall over the next 3 days.
Rivers in the North
In Rangpur division, the water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers have continued to rise and are likely to do so for the next two days. The Teesta may cross the danger level, while the Dharla and Dudhkumar may approach the warning level. Low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram districts are at risk of flooding, with temporary waterlogging possible in parts of Gaibandha, reports FFWC.
Northeastern River
In Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, water levels of the Sarigoyain, Someshwari, Jinjiram, Bhugai, and Kangsa rivers are rising and could reach warning levels within three days.
Meanwhile, the rivers Manu, Dhalai, and Khowai saw falling water levels but are expected to rise again after a day of stability and the Surma and Kushiyara rivers have also shown an upward trend, predicting continued rise over the next three days, reports FFWC.
Earlier, the river water has been flowing 5 centimetres above the danger level at Dalia Point of Teesta Barrage – the country's largest irrigation project – since 12 noon on Sunday (August 3), reports BSS.
The Water Development Board said at 6am on Sunday, the Teesta water level was 2 centimetres below the danger level. Around 9am, it reached the danger level and rose 5 centimetres above it by noon.
This has raised the threat of fresh floods in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat district.
The water level has increased significantly in just a few hours, the Water Development Board said.
Forty-four sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened to control the situation. However, due to the increase in water, several unions in five upazilas of the district are at risk of flooding.
In particular, various low-lying areas of Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Sadar upazilas are at the highest risk.
Among them, Dahagram, Goddimari, Doani, Chhayani, Saniajan, Singamari, Sindurna, Haldibari and Dauabari in Patgram, Botmari, Shailmari, Nohali in Kaliganj, Mahishkhocha, Govardhan, Kalmati, Bahadurpara and Palashi in Aditmari and the low-lying areas of Folimari, Khuniagach, Kulaghat, Mogalhat, Rajpur, Barabari and Gokunda unions in Sadar upazila are at the highest risk.
Expressing concerns, Yakub Ali, a resident of Gobardhan village in Aditmari upazila, said, "The water level had gone down just two days ago. I thought we might get some relief this time. But today the water has started rising again. If the water level fluctuates like this, it will become difficult for us to survive. If the government implements the Teesta Master Plan quickly, we can get rid of this misery."
Meanwhile, Ashraful Ali, a resident of Khuniagach Union in Sadar upazila, said, "The water level has suddenly started rising since morning. A few days ago, the water had gone in, but now it is rising again. At the same time, the situation is getting worse due to continuous rain."
Lalmonirhat Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar Roy said, "The water level has increased a little bit around 12 noon, but I think it may decrease after evening. Water has already entered some low-lying areas. We are closely monitoring the situation. It is not possible to say exactly how much the water will increase or decrease after evening. Everyone living in the riverbank areas has been advised to be careful."
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