Continuous rainfall and upstream inflows have driven the Teesta River close to the danger mark on Tuesday, flooding low-lying areas across several northern districts and leaving around 6,000 families stranded in char regions.
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Superintendent Engineer Ahsan Habib said families living in the char areas of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha have been affected as floodwaters spread across riverine dwellings.
To manage the rising pressure, authorities opened all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage at Dalia in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat to regulate water flow.
BWDB officials said the river was flowing 15 centimetres below the danger level at the Dalia point at 12pm on Tuesday, recording a water level of 52.00 metres. Earlier in the morning, the water level was 52.05 metres at 9am-10 centimetres below the danger mark-and only 5 centimetres below at 6am.
As water levels fluctuated, residents along the Teesta basin expressed concern over the possibility of further flooding if the trend continues.
Several areas in Hatibandha upazila, including Goddimari, Doani, Saniyajan, Nij Sheikh Sundar, Bagher Char, Singimari, Dhubni, Sindurna, Patikapara and Dauabari, have already been inundated. In Kaliganj upazila, Shailmari, Char Bairati and Rudreshwar have also been flooded, along with Mahishkhocha, Gobardhan and Sparbandh in Aditmari upazila.
Floodwater has also entered agricultural lands in Teesta char areas of Gangachara, Kaunia and Pirgachha upazilas in Rangpur, as well as parts of Kurigram and Gaibandha districts.
Farmers reported damage to peanut fields, Aman seedbeds, sweet pumpkin cultivation and other crops, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming planting season. Many said fluctuating water levels are destroying prepared seedbeds, forcing them to consider replanting.
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam said several char dwellers have become stranded, adding that union parishad chairmen have been instructed to compile lists of affected families.
He said dry food assistance would be distributed once the lists are received.
BWDB Executive Engineer in Dalia Amitav Chowdhury said the river remained below the danger level but could rise further due to continued rainfall and upstream flow.
“At 9am, the river was 10 centimetres below the danger mark. By midday, it was 15 centimetres below, but levels may rise again if rainfall continues,” he said.
