Dalia: The Teesta River has crossed its danger mark at the Dalia point in Nilphamari, within the greater Rangpur district, leading to flash floods in the low-lying char areas. This situation has arisen due to an influx of water from upstream over the past 24 hours.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, officials from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) have indicated that the increased intensity of monsoon rains in the northeastern states of India and the higher parts of Bangladesh could lead to a temporary flood situation in the low-lying areas of the Brahmaputra basin. Executive Engineer of the BWDB’s Teesta Barrage Division, Amitav Chowdhury, reported that the Teesta was flowing above its danger mark by 5cm at 9 am and 4cm at 3 pm at the Dalia point in Nilphamari. As of 5 pm, all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage Project remain open to manage the significant water flow, with water levels showing a slight rising trend.
The torrential monsoon rains and upstream water have submerged some low-lying char areas along the Teesta in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur, causing difficulties for locals. The flood situation in these areas is expected to fluctuate over the next few days. Additional Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB, Dr. Mohd Sarfaraz Banda, stated that water levels of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system have risen in the past 24 hours and could continue this trend for the next 72 hours. He assured that the situation is being closely monitored, and emergency measures are in place to protect flood control structures.
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of BWDB issued a bulletin stating that the water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers have continued to rise over the past 24 hours. These rivers are expected to rise further over the next 24 hours, potentially exceeding their respective danger marks. Consequently, low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram may face inundation. However, water levels are anticipated to decrease on the second and third day.
Upstream Indian states recorded significant rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Coochbehar receiving 105mm, Guwahati 80mm, Goalpara 77mm, Tezpur 75mm, and Jalpaiguri 72mm. In Bangladesh, the highest recorded rainfall was 200mm at Panchagarh, followed by 132mm at Dalia, 128mm at Dinajpur, and lower amounts at other monitoring points.
The Dudhkumar River was flowing 52cm below its danger mark at Pateshwari, the Dharla 86cm below at Kurigram, and the Brahmaputra was below its danger mark by varying amounts at different points. Similarly, the Jamuna was below its danger mark at several points, reducing the immediate threat of flooding from these rivers.