Water at Teesta river crosses danger level in Lalmonirhat

Although there is no rainfall, the water level of Teesta River has increased in Lalmonirhat due to the onrush water from upstream in India.

Teesta water has been rising since yesterday evening. Char and river basin villages have been flooded due to rising water levels in the river. As a result, more than 5,000 people in several villages on the banks Teesta in Lalmonirhat have been reeled by floodwaters.

According to the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, the Teesta water was flowing 30cm above danger level at the Teesta barrage point at Doani area of Lalmonirhat's Hatibandha upazila.

Mizanur Rahman, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said, "The Teesta basin is flooded with rising water level as the bed of the Teesta is filled with silt and sand.

"This caused 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 water from upstream actually resulted in the rise of water above danger level in Teesta," he said adding that "Teesta water will recede in the next 12 hours 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 water level in the Teesta from last night had inundated six villages in his union. "More than 2,000 people have been affected by floodwaters. Roads and crop lands on the char and riverside areas have been submerged," he said.

Mohor Ali, a 65-year-old farmer from Char Gokunda village in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila, said floodwaters from the Teesta inundated his house last night. They have taken shelter on the government road with their cattle. When the water recedes, they will return home.