Staff Reporter :
Heavy rainfall and the onrush of water from upstream have inundated large areas and numerous households across the northern districts of Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Kurigram.
The continuous rain has caused the Teesta River to swell, threatening further flooding if the rainfall persists.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, light to moderate rain, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, is expected over Mymensingh, Sylhet, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions.
Some parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Barishal divisions are also likely to experience heavy downpours, with the water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers continuing to rise.
The Teesta River is flowing above the danger level at Kaunia Point in Rangpur, while the water levels of the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers remain just below the danger mark, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
The Bangladesh Water Development Board reported that the Teesta was flowing 2 cm above the danger level at Dalia Point on Sunday, while it was 0.9 cm above at Kaunia Point.
At Gangachhara Point in Rangpur, the river exceeded its danger mark by 0.4 cm.
The overflow from the Teesta River has flooded around 30 villages in Gangachhara and Kaunia upazilas of Rangpur, affecting roughly 20,000 people.
In Gangachhara, 15 villages, including Char Isli, Shankar Dah, Char Bagdohra, and Nohali Union’s Ashrayan Project homes, have been submerged.
In Kaunia Upazila, five remote char areas, including Dhusmarah, are experiencing rapidly rising waters, stranding nearly 10,000 people.
Former Lakshmitaari Union Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi said that around 5,000 families are stranded in his union, living in dire conditions as the floodwaters rise.
Former Nohali Union Chairman Ashraf Ali also reported that eight villages in his area are submerged under 2-3 feet of water, affecting nearly 10,000 people and inundating hundreds of hectares of agricultural crops.
Gangachhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nahid Tamanna confirmed that seven tonnes of rice and dry food packets have been allocated for flood victims, although some residents have complained that no relief has reached them yet.
In Kaunia Upazila’s remote char areas, hundreds of families remain stranded, with floodwaters rising rapidly.
Abdullah Al Mamun, Assistant Engineer of the Rangpur Water Development Board, attributed the rising water levels to heavy upstream rainfall and the influx of hilly water into the Teesta River.
In Kurigram, the continuous rainfall and water from upstream have also caused the Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Brahmaputra rivers to rise, flooding low-lying areas and char lands.
As a result, standing crops, including paddy and vegetables, have been submerged, leading to fears among local farmers that they will lose their harvests.
Hundreds of households and roads have been flooded across six unions in Razarhat, Ulipur, and Chilmari upazilas, affecting over 600 families.
The low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat district are also flooded, with approximately 25,000 people stranded as the Teesta River continues to rise.
Roads, bridges, and culverts have been washed away by the strong currents, while crops, including Aman paddy and vegetables, have been submerged.
Floodwaters have also washed away fish enclosures, causing significant losses for fish farmers. In Hatibandha Upazila, 300 families in West Bichhandai village have been affected by flash floods.
The Lalmonirhat Railway Authority reported that a half-kilometre stretch of rail tracks in the Santahar area has been submerged, slowing down train operations to prevent accidents.
Nineteen primary schools in the district have been closed due to floodwaters entering their premises.
Dauyabari Union Parishad Chairman Mashiur Rahman confirmed that over 300 families in his union have been affected by the floods, and the district administration has been informed to supply relief materials.
As the number of flood-affected people continues to rise, locals are using sandbags to reinforce embankments in an attempt to prevent further flooding.