Nilphamari: The Teesta River has surpassed its danger mark at Dalia point in Nilphamari, part of the greater Rangpur region, triggering temporary flooding in the low-lying char areas due to an influx of water caused by heavy upstream rains over the past 24 hours.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, officials from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) have reported an increase in rainfall intensity in the northeastern states of India and higher regions of Bangladesh, raising the likelihood of a temporary flood situation in the Brahmaputra basin’s low-lying areas. Dr. Mohd Sarfaraz Banda, Additional Chief Engineer for the Rangpur Zone of BWDB, noted, “Following a sharp rise in the water level today, the Teesta was flowing above its danger mark by 25cm at 8 pm at Dalia point.”
Earlier in the day, the river had crossed its danger mark by 10 cm at 6 pm, with the water level continuing to rise, ultimately reaching 25cm above the danger mark by 8 pm. Dr. Banda stated, “Currently, all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage Project are remaining open to control the huge water flow at Dalia point where water levels of the river were still showing a rising trend.”
Meanwhile, torrential monsoon rains and the upstream water influx have submerged some very low-lying char areas along the Teesta in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat over the past 24 hours. Dr. Banda assured, “We are closely monitoring the situation and ready to take immediate steps, if necessary, to save flood control structures on an emergency basis anywhere in Rangpur division under BWDB’s Rangpur Zone.”
Executive Engineer of the BWDB’s Teesta Barrage Division, Amitav Chowdhury, highlighted the threat to vulnerable points in adjoining Lalmonirhat district due to the sharply rising water level. “I, along with BWDB officials and staff, are trying our best to save the flood control embankment by dumping sand bags along the Teesta at the zero point in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat,” Engineer Chowdhury stated.
In a related development, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of BWDB reported a decrease in the water level of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers system over the last 24 hours. However, water levels may increase in the next two days and stabilize over the subsequent three days, potentially remaining below the danger mark.
The region has experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall, with recorded rainfalls in upstream Indian states, such as 261mm at Darjeeling, 190mm at Cooch Behar, and 172mm at Jalpaiguri. In Bangladesh, rainfall was recorded at 200mm in Panchagarh and 132mm in Dalia, among other areas, over the past 24 hours.