Flood inundates low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat, 20,000 people marooned
An official warned that continued heavy rainfall and upstream waters could raise water levels again and urged riverside residents to stay alert.
Nearly 20,000 people are stranded in Lalmonirhat due to flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall over the past three days and an onrush of water from upstream.
Last night (5 October), the Teesta River's water at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was recorded 52.45cm above the danger level. By 6am today, it was 10cm above the danger mark and fell 3cm below the danger level by 9am, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
Officials said rising water levels submerged several areas of Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar upazilas.
The affected villages include Goddimari, Duwani, Saniyajan, Singamari, Sindurna, Haldibari, Dauwabari in Patgram and Hatibandha; Votmari, Shoilmari, Kakina, Nohali in Kaliganj; Mahishkhola, Gobardhan, Kalmati, Bahadurpara, Palashi in Aditmari; and Folimari, Khuniagach, Kulaghat, Mogolhat, Rajpur, Borobari, Gokunda in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila.
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Faruk Ahmed of Gobardhan village in Aditmari said there was little water until yesterday afternoon, but it rose suddenly in the evening.
His house was submerged, forcing his family to move to a safe place, he added.
Rafiqul Islam from Sindurna village in Hatibandha said everything was submerged before their eyes as water entered the house.
Ziaur Haque Zia, acting chairman of Goddimari Union Parishad, said several villages were inundated due to flash floods and heavy rainfall, leaving at least 5,000 people stranded.
Nurul Islam, the person in charge at the Dalia point barrage, said that although water was 30cm above the danger mark at midnight, it fell below the danger level by 9am.
Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat office of the BWDB, warned that continued heavy rainfall and upstream waters could raise water levels again and urged riverside residents to stay alert.
Deputy Commissioner HM Rakib Haider said they are closely monitoring the situation.
The administration is ready to respond to any emergency, he added.
