Teesta overflowing, flood water entering low-lying areas in Kurigram

Staff Reporter :
There is a risk for further flood as all the major rivers in the country’s North and North-Eastern regions are rising rapidly because of heavy rainfall in the upstream.

As a result, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Tangail, Jamalpur, Sunamganj, Sylhet and Netrokona districts may face another spell of flooding.

Meanwhile, the river water of Teesta is flowing above the danger level at Kaunia point.

According to meteorological agencies, there is a chance of heavy rainfall in the northern, north-eastern and adjoining upstream parts of Bangladesh in next 48 hours.

However, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) on Thursday said in its report that the Teesta, Dharla, Dudkumar, Upper Karatoa, Upper Atrai, Kulikh, Tangon, Punarbhaba rivers of the northern region and the Surnma, Kushiyara, Someswari, Jadukata, Bhugai- Kangsha, Sarigowan and Meghna rivers of the north-eastern region may rise rapidly in the next 48 hours.

It also predicted that the low-lying areas and charlands are likely to be inundated due to flood water, but there is no threat for major flood, said Mehadi Hasan, Assistant Engineer of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and also in-charge FFWC.

He, however, said that though the Jamuna river is in a steady state but both the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers may rise in the next 48 hours.

According to India Meteorology Department (IMD), there are chances that heavy rainfall may occur in the Sub-Himalayan region next 48 hours.

“Isolated extremely heavy rainfall activity is very likely over West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Bihar and Odisha, which will continue for next 48 hours,” the IMD bulletin said on Thursday.

Water levels in all the rivers in Kurigram district have risen due to incessant rainfall.

The Teesta river has risen and is now close to the flood limit.

The Aman farmers are in fear due to flood.

According to Kurigram Water Development Board, Kaunia Point of Teesta river in Kurigram is flowing zero centimeters above the danger line, while Dharla river water is flowing below 140 cm and Dudhkumar river 88 cm.

Abdullah Al Mamun, Executive Engineer of Kurigram WDB said that the water level of Brahmaputra and Dharla rivers may increase till August 26 and 27.

There is a risk of inundation of the low-lying areas of Ulipur, Chilmari and some parts of Sadar, he added.

However, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Thursday predicted that light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over the country.

“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country”, said a met office forecast for the next 24 hours.

The axis of monsoon trough runs through Rajsthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across northern part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extend up to North Bay.