Lalmonirhat Correspondent:

The Teesta River has swollen due to upstream runoff and persistent heavy rain, causing the water level to pass the danger line and causing waterlogging in low-lying parts of the Lalmonirhat District.

According to observations at 6am on Monday, the water level at the Dalia Point in Lalmonirhat had risen to 52.18m, which is 3cm above the danger level (52.15m). Dalia Point Gauge Reader Nurul Islam said, “The water of the Teesta has increased due to the upstream runoff and heavy rain and is currently flowing above the danger level. Forty-four sluice gates in the barrage have been opened to deal with the situation.”

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said that the water level of the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, and several other rivers in the north may rise over the next 72 hours. This poses a risk of flooding the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur and Kurigram.

Aminul Hossain, a farmer from Gobardhan village in Lalmonirhat’s Aditmari Upazila, said: “The roads and markets in the Char area have been submerged as the river water has begun to rise rapidly. We are inundated.”

Enamul Kabir, a daily wage labourer from Hatibandha Upazila, said: “Many families are stranded due to the water. People are suffering and struggling with their animals, the children and the elderly. No one has helped yet.”

Arifur Islam, chairman of the local council in Hatibandha’s Sindurna Union, said that about 1,500 families in his locality are stranded due to the water.

“Urgent relief and assistance are needed to ease the suffering of the people.”

Amitabh Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Water Development Board’s Dalia office, said: “The water level in the Teesta has increased due to the upstream runoff and rain. However, there is no threat of major flooding for now.”