Flood alert issued for low-lying areas in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat
Water levels in several western rivers — including the Mahananda, Karatoa, Upper Atrai, Jamuneswari, Tangon, and Punarbhaba — are also expected to rise over the next three days.
The Flood Forecasting & Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that rising Teesta River water and heavy rainfall may temporarily flood low-lying, river-adjacent areas in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat.
According to FFWC's latest bulletin, "Teesta River water may rise to the warning level in the next 24 hours, possibly inundating adjacent lowlands in Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat."
Water levels in several western rivers — including the Mahananda, Karatoa, Upper Atrai, Jamuneswari, Tangon, and Punarbhaba — are also expected to rise over the next three days.
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FFWC Executive Engineer Sarder Udoy Raihan told The Business Standard, "Due to the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is occurring across the country, including coastal areas."
He added, "Water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers may continue to rise over the next two days."
The basin may experience moderate to heavy rainfall in the next two days, followed by light to moderately heavy showers the day after.
"Within the next 24 hours, the Teesta River's water may rise to the warning level," Raihan said.
Feni flood situation improves
Floodwaters have receded in most low-lying and riverside areas of Feni, though some zones remain waterlogged. According to Raihan, there is currently "no longer any flood concern in this area."
Preliminary assessments suggest significant damage in Feni. Around 126 rural roads have been affected, with losses estimated at Tk90 crore. More than 100 houses were damaged.
Roughly 3,470 hectares of cropland remain submerged, while nearly 2,330 ponds, dighis, and fisheries were washed away. Livestock losses are estimated at around Tk65 lakh.
India opens dams, No threat to Bangladesh
In neighbouring India, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) opened the sluice gates of Panchet and Maithon dams on Tuesday morning. Water is now flowing through the Damodar River via the Durgapur barrage toward Howrah, Hooghly, and East Bardhaman.
In response, the West Bengal state government has issued a flood alert and instructed ten district administrations to remain vigilant.
However, FFWC officials confirmed that the dam release poses no threat to Bangladesh.
"When dams are opened in India, that information is usually not shared with us. However, regarding the dams that are reportedly being opened now, there is no possibility of an impact on Bangladesh. This is because the water from that part of West Bengal flows directly into the Bay of Bengal," said Sarder Udoy Raihan.
