Staff Reporter :
Heavy rainfall and upstream water flows from India have caused rivers across northern and western Bangladesh to swell, flooding low-lying areas and displacing thousands of residents.
In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta River, which had surged above the danger level for several days, dropped sharply overnight. At Dalia point, water levels fell 41cm in 24 hours, from 18cm above the danger mark on Thursday to 23cm below it on Friday. The rapid decline has begun draining floodwaters from most riverbank areas, allowing residents to resume daily activities.
However, four rounds of flooding this season have caused extensive agricultural losses, including 915 hectares of transplanted Aman paddy, while livestock and fish farmers also report significant economic damage. Around 7,000 families in 20 low-lying areas remain affected and are demanding a permanent solution to the Teesta’s flooding.
Authorities are preparing sandbags, shelters, and dry food stocks, and Water Development Board officials warn that the sudden drop could trigger riverbank erosion.
Meanwhile, in Kushtia, heavy rainfall and rising Padma River levels have submerged large parts of Daulatpur Upazila. Nearly 50,000 residents in char areas of Ramkrishnapur and Chilmarhi unions are stranded, with homes, schools, roads, and farmland inundated. Water levels at Hardinge Bridge stood at 12.94 metres, just below the danger mark of 13.80 metres, while the Gorai River approached its danger level at 12.75 metres.
Sixteen primary schools remain closed, and many families are relocating livestock. Authorities have distributed 20 tonnes of rice and are monitoring the situation closely, with relief efforts underway.
Elsewhere, rivers in Naogaon and Rangpur have also risen due to continued rainfall and upstream hill torrents. The Atrai River at Jotbazar in Manda Upazila is 27cm above the danger level, putting over 30 embankment points at risk. Preparations include stocking sandbags, bamboo, and dry food, while authorities remain on alert for potential flooding.
Officials emphasise that monitoring and emergency measures are ongoing to mitigate impacts. Relief distribution is underway, but residents affected by both the Padma and Teesta floods continue to urge long-term solutions to recurrent flooding.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast continued rain over the next five days, with moderate to heavy falls expected in Mymensingh, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, and other northern areas. Sustained rainfall could raise water levels in rivers further and cause waterlogging in low-lying regions.
