The Teesta River has been flowing above the danger mark for more than 24 hours due to heavy rainfall and onrush of water from upstream, leaving around 15,000 people marooned in Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari.
According to the Water Development Board (WDB), the water level at the Dalia point in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari was recorded at 15cm above the danger mark of 52.15cm at 9:00 am on Thursday. On Wednesday morning, the level crossed the danger mark by 7cm before dropping to 4cm. However, heavy overnight showers and upstream inflow pushed it to 11cm above the mark early Thursday, and it continued to rise.
Floodwaters have inundated at least 45 villages, submerging transplanted Aman fields and other crops.
In Nilphamari, the worst-affected unions include Purbo Chhatnai, Paschim Chhatnai, Khaga Kharibari, Tepa Kharibari, Gayabari, Khalisha Chapani and Jhuniagachh Chapani, while in Lalmonirhat, parts of Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Sadar upazilas have been hit.
This is the third round of flooding in the Teesta basin this season, with earlier incidents recorded on July 29 and August 3. Residents have demanded the implementation of the long-awaited Teesta master plan to find a permanent solution.
Local WDB officials warned that heavy rainfall and upstream water may continue for the next two days, posing a risk of short-term flooding in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha and Kurigram.
“All 44 gates of the barrage have been kept open to maintain the flow,” said Amitabh Chowdhury, executive engineer of the WDB’s Dalia division.
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