Erosion in many areas in the north on a sudden rise of Teesta water
People, residing in the area, fear that many agriculture land will be badly affected by the flood
A few days of rain and onrush of water from upstream has resulted in a sudden increase of water in Teesta, flooding low lying areas of Kurigram, Rajarhat, Ulipur, and Chilmari.
Around noon on Wednesday, Teesta water was flowing 2 cm above the danger line at Dalia point of Teesta Barrage in Hatibandha ulazila of Lalmonirhat. Teesta Barrage is the largest irrigation project in the country.
People, residing in the area, fear that many agriculture land will be badly affected by the flood, with numerous vegetable and paddy fields destroyed.
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"No dredging took place at the Dalia point," said Manik Chowdhury, director at Jibika, a development organization that does research on rivers.
"Due to lack of proper dredging, Teesta water overflows along the adjacent areas, even after a light rain. Thus, Teesta has become prone to erosion," he added.
Shawkot Ali (Bir Bikram), chairman of Chilmari upazila in Kurigram, said, the power development board knows about the problem concerning flooding and erosion along the river, but due to lack of funding no action has been taken in this regard.
Bishwambhar Roy, deputy assistant agriculture officer in Lalmonirhat, said, if the floodwater stays for long, paddy fields are likely to be damaged, while adding that the water is decreasing fast, which will be helpful for the production of Aman paddy.
He also said: insects die in floods, while silt is deposited on the fields after the flood: this is helpful for paddy production.
However, some farmers say that not only the silt, but also the sand is deposited, which is not good at all for arable lands.
Ali Hayder, relief and rehabilitation officer at Lalmonirhat, said, "Though there has not been much damage, as the flood have not lingered for long, we have informed upazila administration of the flood situation so that they provide relief, if required. However, no relief has been sent, as yet, as none has asked for it," while adding that there are 145 tonnes of GR rice and Tk2.14 lakhs in the relief fund.
Robiul Islam, executive engineer at the Teesta Barrage project, said, "We have opened all the sluice-gates to save the barrage. As the water flow decreases in India and upstream areas, we hope the water level in Teesta will recede soon."
