North braces for flash floods as Teesta swells

Rising water levels of the Teesta's due to heavy rains, severe flooding, and a breach in a dam in India's northeastern Sikkim may trigger flash floods in the northern parts of Bangladesh.

A flood-like situation is likely to occur in Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha and other areas adjacent to the Teesta, as the river was flowing above the danger level at the Dalia and Kaunia points yesterday, according to Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

"The situation may worsen over the next few days. While the flood is likely to be of medium range, its impact will be severe," Md Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of FFWC, told The Daily Star yesterday.

He added the water levels of the river will continue to rise for at least another two to three days and may start receding after that. "But there will be a lot of river erosion as it is going to be a flash flood."

District administrations and water development board authorities in Rangpur division have already initiated precautionary measures and issued warnings in risk-prone areas adjacent to the Teesta basin and other rivers in the districts. They have also advised those who live near riverbanks to remain alert.

"The flood situation may worsen over the next few days. While the flood is likely to be of medium range, it's impact will be severe."

Md Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of FFWC,

People in those areas have also been urged to relocate their livestock and essential belongings to higher grounds and nearby shelters such as primary and high schools as soon as possible.

Nahid Tamanna, upazila nirbahi officer of Rangpur district's Gangachara upazila, said, "We have been conducting field visits in various unions along the riverbanks since this [yesterday] morning. We are cautioning people living near rivers to be careful."

Meanwhile, India's weather department has issued warnings of landslides and flight disruptions as heavy rain is predicted in parts of Sikkim, which is already facing severe flash floods, reports Reuters.

Experts at the International Centre of Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), an intergovernmental scientific authority based in Nepal, attributed the flooding in Sikkim to intense rain that triggered a glacial lake outburst.

"We observe that such extreme events increase in frequency as the climate continues to warm and takes us into unknown territory," Miriam Jackson, a senior cryosphere specialist at ICIMOD, said.

A cloudburst over Lhonak lake was the main trigger for the flooding in the valley located about 150 km (93 miles) north of Gangtok near the border with China.

The main highway linking Sikkim to West Bengal was snapped, while Gangtok was completely cut off by road, according to army spokesperson Anjan Basumatary.

Around 15,000 people living in the vicinity are likely to be affected and at least eight major bridges have been washed away along the banks of the Teesta, VS Pathak, chief secretary of the state, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, heavy rain hampered the search for 23 Indian soldiers reported missing on Wednesday after the flash flood in northeastern Sikkim, as the capital city of Gangtok cut off by road, defence officials said.

Some army bases and facilities along the valley were affected and the rising water submerged vehicles following the release of water from a dam, said a defence ministry spokesperson based in the neighbouring city of Guwahati.