Teesta Crosses Danger Level in Lalmonirhat, Raising Flood Concerns

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The Teesta River was flowing above the danger level in Lalmonirhat on Wednesday as persistent rainfall and upstream water inflows pushed up river levels, increasing the risk of flooding in northern Bangladesh over the next 48 hours.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the river was recorded at 52.21 metres at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage at 3:00 pm, one centimetre above the danger level of 52.15 metres. Water has already started entering low-lying areas along the river.

The Dharla River, meanwhile, was flowing at 29.48 metres at the Shimulbari point, remaining 1.39 metres below its danger level of 30.87 metres.

Residents in riverside areas said floodwaters had begun inundating homesteads and low-lying land along the Teesta. They added that the absence of major seasonal crops in the affected areas had reduced the immediate risk of significant agricultural losses.

The BWDB warned that continued heavy rainfall and upstream inflows could further raise river levels across northern districts, potentially causing a short-term flood situation within the next 48 hours.

Lalmonirhat Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar said the increase in water levels was the result of sustained rainfall and upstream runoff. He said the situation was being monitored continuously and that preparations were in place to respond to any potential flooding.

Source: The Financial Express