Flashflood adds to woes of over 5,000 villagers

Although there has been no rainfall for the last weeks, the water level of the Teesta has increased in Lalmonirhat due to the onrush of water from the upstream in India.

Many char and villages near river basins have already been flooded.

At least  5,000 people of around 20 villages in Lalmonirhat Sadar, Aditmari and Hatibandha upazilas have been left marooned.

According to the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, the Teesta was flowing 30cm above the danger level at Teesta Barrage point in Hatibandha upazila.

But the water level started decreasing and the water was flowing 5cm below the danger mark at Teesta Barrage point from yesterday morning. The water level started falling as water flow from the upstream has stopped. But the river water is rising in the barrage's downstream, it said.

Mizanur Rahman, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said the Teesta basin is flooded with rising water. The riverbed is filled with silt and sand. This causes flooding in the lowlands along the char and riverside. All the 44 gates of Teesta Barrage have been kept open due to high water pressure.

The onrush of water from the upstream pushed up the water level of Teesta, he said, adding that the river water would recede soon as there was no rainfall.

Mofazzal Hossain, chairman of Rajpur Union Parishad in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, told The Daily Star that a sudden rise in the river water on Thursday night flooded six villages in his union. Over 2,000 people have been suffering due to floodwater. Roads and croplands in char and riverside have gone under water, he said.

Mohor Ali, a 65-year-old farmer from Char Gokunda village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said water entered his house on Thursday night. They have taken shelter on a road along with their belongings. When the water recedes, they will return home. If the river water rises, they will have to stay there, he added.