Teesta water near danger level in 4-district
Staff Reporter:
Heavy rainfall and mountain runoff from upstream have pushed the water level of the Teesta River dangerously close to the danger mark.
The water level at the country’s largest Teesta Barrage in Dalia’s Baishpukur Point, Nilphamari’s Dimla upazila, was recorded at 52.14 meters, just one centimeter below the danger level of 52.15 meters at 3 pm on Sunday.
Authorities warned that the water could cross the danger level at any moment. As a precaution, all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened, and a red alert has been issued for the Teesta basin.
Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury of the Dalia Water Development Board (WDB) added, “At 3 pm today, the Teesta was flowing one centimeter below the danger level. The water may rise further at night, which could flood low-lying areas along the Teesta.”
Due to the rising water, low-lying areas and char villages in East Chatnai, Khogakhogibari, Goyabari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, and Jhunagach Chapani unions
of Dimla upazila may soon be flooded. Local representatives said that the Teesta appeared dry until 9 am, but then the water began rushing in suddenly from upstream.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of the Water Development Board in Dalia, at 9 am on Sunday the river was flowing 67 centimeters below the danger level. FFWC warns that the situation could lead to flooding in low-lying areas of four districts including Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Rangpur.
By noon, following heavy rain and inflow from upstream, the level jumped 52 centimeters and came within 15 centimeters of the danger mark.
By 3 pm, the water rose another 14 centimeters, leaving it just one centimeter below the danger level, a sign that it may cross it anytime soon.
Tepakharibari Union Parishad Chairman Rabiul Islam Shaheen said, “The water level in the Teesta has risen again and continues to rise. Several channels of the river have already overflowed, submerging croplands.”
“Due to heavy rainfall and mountain runoff from upstream, the water level of the Teesta River is rising. Signs of a severe flood are appearing. All 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened, and a red alert has been issued for the Teesta basin. People living in low-lying and char areas are being advised to move to safer places,” Amitabh Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the WDB of Dalia point said.
Continuous rainfall and mountain runoff from India’s hilly regions have accelerated the rise of the Teesta’s water level, bringing it close to the danger point at Dalia, the site of the country’s largest irrigation project. As a result, low-lying areas along the Teesta banks face an increased risk of flooding.
At 3 pm on Sunday, the water level at Dalia Point was measured at 52.14 meters, just one centimeter below the danger mark (52.15 meters). Due to mounting water pressure, all 44 sluice gates of the barrage were opened, according to the Water Development Board.
Local sources reported that heavy rainfall in India’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions has caused mountain runoff, leading to a surge in the Teesta’s flow. Consequently, areas along the riverbanks in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur districts now face a heightened risk of riverbank erosion and flooding.
If the Teesta’s water level continues to rise, low-lying areas in Nilphamari’s East Chatnai, Khogakhogibari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagach Chapani, and Goyabari unions, as well as Golmunda, Dauabari, and Shaulmari unions of Jaldhaka upazila, could be inundated. Around 5,000 residents are at risk of becoming waterlogged.
Hafizur Rahman, acting chairman of East Chatnai Union, told the media, “Due to heavy rainfall, the Teesta’s water level is rising. When it rises, everything goes under water – thousands of people lose their homes.”