Teesta swells again, fresh flood feared in northern districts
All 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened to control the flow, while round-the-clock monitoring has been intensified.
The Teesta River started to swell again due to heavy rainfall and the onrush of water from upstream today, triggering fresh flood fears among farmers in the northern districts.
The water level at Dalia point in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat rose by 13 centimetres from 7am to 6pm, flowing just six centimetres below the danger mark, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
Officials warned that the river could cross the danger level at any time.
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All 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened to control the flow, while round-the-clock monitoring has been intensified.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said Teesta's water is likely to rise further in the next 24 hours and may inundate low-lying and char areas in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram, Nilphamari, and Gaibandha districts.
Farmers in the Teesta basin areas have become worried as they have already suffered damage in three rounds of floods in August when their transplanted Aman crops were submerged.
After replanting Aman seedlings, they now fear the fresh surge of water will again devastate their fields.
Nurul Islam, in-charge of Teesta Barrage control room, said the Teesta water at Dalia point was flowing six centimetres below the danger mark at 6pm today and Riverbank residents were asked to remain alert.
Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of BWDB Lalmonirhat, said, "Due to rainfall and upstream pressure, Teesta's water is rising rapidly. Low-lying areas could be flooded. We have advised riverside people to stay cautious and we are monitoring the situation closely."
