Teesta water level reaches danger level, 7,000 families stranded

Due to rain and upstream inflow, the water of Teesta river in Lalmonirhat is rising and flowing above the danger level at Dalia point of the barrage. The flood situation has deteriorated with the water flow of Teesta river above the danger level for two consecutive days. Today, Thursday (August 14), the water level rose 11 centimeters above the danger level at 6 am. It flooded low-lying areas of 20 villages of Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Sadar. As a result, 7,000 families have been stranded. Rural roads, planted aman fields and various crops have been submerged in the water. Fish in ponds have been washed away. Several educational institutions have been closed due to the rising water. Many people have taken shelter in dams and high places with their domestic animals. 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been kept open to keep the water flow normal. Paubo said that heavy rains and upstream flows are likely to continue in the region for the next two days. This is likely to cause short-term flooding in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha and Kurigram. According to the report of the Flood Warning Center, the water of the Teesta at Kaunia point is flowing 20 centimeters below the danger level, and at Shimulbari point of the Dharla river 10 centimeters below. The char areas and low-lying areas of Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Sadar upazilas of the district have been flooded. Especially Patgram, Hatibandha’s Gaddimari, Doani, Chhayani, Saniajan, Singamari, Sindurna, Haldibari, Dauabari; Kaliganj’s Botmari, Shailmari, Nohali; Water has entered Aditmari’s Mahishkhocha, Govardhan, Kalmati, Bahadurpara, Palashi and Folimari, Khuniagach, Kulaghat, Mogalhat, Rajpur, Barabari and Gokunda unions in Sadar upazila. Locals allege that the installation of solar panels has changed the course of the river and water is entering the locality, which is a threat to dams and settlements. Shah Alam, a resident of South Bhotmari area, said that due to solar panels, water is coming under pressure on the roads and dams of the locality. If these are not protected, thousands of settlements and cropland will disappear into the river. District Water Development Board Executive Engineer Shunil Kumar Roy said that due to continued heavy rainfall upstream, the river water may flow above the danger level for the next two days. The situation and risky dams are being monitored round the clock. On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner HM Rakib Haider said that UNOs have been asked to prepare a list of those affected. Once the list is complete, relief and assistance will be delivered quickly.