Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh is on high alert as rising water levels in the Teesta River, caused by heavy rainfall upstream in India, threaten to trigger flooding in the northern regions. The Teesta, which flows into Bangladesh via Nilphamari’s Kaliganj area, is expected to surpass the danger mark, raising concerns about flooding in low-lying communities.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Sikkim districts of Mangan, Gyalshing, and Soreng, warning of potential landslides and flash floods due to intense rainfall. These conditions upstream are directly impacting river flows downstream along the Teesta corridor in Bangladesh, according to local reports.
Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has reported rising water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers within the Rangpur Division, with the trend expected to continue over the next three days. “The Teesta is likely to cross the danger level,” said Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer at the FFWC. The situation is also deteriorating in the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, where rivers including the Sari-Goyain, Jadukata, Dhalai, Someshwari, and Manu are forecast to overflow. This may result in localized flooding in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, and Moulvibazar within the next 48 hours.
“Due to heavy rainfall upstream, river levels in Sylhet and Mymensingh are expected to rise above danger levels in the coming two days,” Raihan added, noting a gradual decline should follow from the third day.
Meanwhile, the Surma and Kushiyara rivers continue to swell, with water levels forecast to rise further before receding. In the Chattogram Division, rivers such as the Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu, and Matamuhuri are expected to remain stable over the next 24 hours, followed by a decrease in water levels.
Across broader river systems, water levels in the Ganges-Padma basin may increase over the next five days but are anticipated to stay below danger thresholds. A similar upward trend is predicted for the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin rivers.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert and follow official guidance. The FFWC and local disaster management teams are preparing to take emergency measures should conditions worsen.
