Heavy rainfall over the past several days, combined with flash floods from upstream, has caused the water level of the Teesta River to rise rapidly.
At the country’s largest irrigation project, the Teesta Barrage’s Dalia Point, the river’s water is hovering just below the danger mark, raising concerns about flooding in nearby low-lying areas.
As of 3:00 PM on Sunday, the water level at Dalia Point was recorded at 52.14 meters, just 1 centimeter below the danger threshold of 52.15 meters. Due to the increasing pressure, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has kept 44 sluice gates of the Tista Barrage open.
Local sources said that heavy rainfall in India’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions has caused flash floods to flow downstream, increasing the risk of riverbank erosion and flooding in areas along the Tista in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur.
If the water level continues to rise, low-lying areas in Dimla upazila—including Purbo Chatnai, Khogakhari Bari, Tepakhari Bari, Khalisa Chapani, Jhuna Gachh Chapani, and Goyabari—as well as Golmunda, Dauwabari, and Shoulmari unions in Jaldhaka Upazila could be submerged. At least 5,000 residents in these areas may face waterlogging and isolation.
Hafizur Rahman, acting chairman of Purbo Chatnai Union, said, “With the rising water level of the Tista, thousands of people could lose their homes if the river overflows.”
Amitabh Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of Dalia Water Development Board, added, “As of 3 PM today, the Tista’s water level is flowing just 1 centimeter below the danger mark. The level may rise further at night, posing a serious flood risk to nearby low-lying areas.”
