Low-lying regions in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram have been flooded as the Teesta River crossed the danger mark following heavy rains and onrush of water from upstream.
In Nilphamari, the river was flowing 27cm above the danger mark at the Dalia point Thursday morning after first crossing the danger mark Wednesday night when it was flowing 12cm above the danger mark, confirmed Nurul Islam, the gauge reader at Teesta Barrage.
“All 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage have been kept open to control the strong current,” he said.
Low-lying areas of Dimla, Jaldhaka and Lalmonirhat were inundated due to heavy rains and as a result 27 families in Dimla's Baishpukur area have become stranded, Dalia Water Development Board's warning centre said.
WDB Deputy Assistant Engineer (Water Branch) Aminur Rashid said: “Low-lying and char areas in the Teesta River basin were inundated due to heavy rains and onrush of water coming down from India. The Teesta barrage has opened all 44 sluice gates to control the floodwaters.”
However, consequently, peoples’ homes in the chars of Khalisha Chapani were inundated and the houses were submerged in the floodwaters, he added.
East Chhatnay Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Latif Khan said many people have shifted their homes to higher grounds as the Teesta water began flowing 27cm above the danger level Thursday morning.
Apart from East Chhatnay, homes of 3,000 families in Khagakharbari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagach and Gayabari of Dimla upazila have been inundated.
Moreover, homes of 2,000 families were also flooded in 10 char and char villages in Golmunda, Dowabari, Shaulmari and Kaimari union of Jaldhaka upazila.
Maqbool Hossain, a member of Ward No 2 of Khagakharibari Union under Dimla upazila, said that about 60 families under his ward are suffering due to the flood water entering their houses. “If the water level continues to rise, their homes will have to be relocated.”
In Lalmonirhat, some 5,000 people have been marooned as the low-lying areas were inundated due to the incessant rainfall for the last two days until Thursday morning and onrush of hill water, said deputy commissioner Abu Zafar.
Local people said the low-lying areas of the district including Dahgram in Patgram upazila, Saniajan, Goddimari, Sindurna, Patikapara and Singimari of Hatibandha upazila, Bhotmari and Kakina in Kaliganj upazila, Mohishkhocha and Palashi of Aditmari upazila, Khuniagach, Rajpur and Gokunda in Sadar upazila were flooded.
Deputy Commissioner Abu Zafar said the Upazila Nirbahi Officers concerned and public representatives have been asked to monitor the flood situation.
They were also asked to make a list of people affected by the recent flood, he said.
In Kurigram, flood situation worsened again due to swelling of the major Rivers including Dharla and Teesta rivers.
The Dharla River was flowing 19cm above its danger level in the morning.
Besides, floodwater inundated many houses and damaged Aman paddy and vegetables in the district.
Meanwhile, erosion by Dharala has taken a serious turn in 67 points of the district including Charbazra in ulipur upazila, Sardob, Moghalbasa in Sadar upazila, Char Mekli in Phulbari upazila and Dhaurarkuthi in Bhurungamari upazila of the district.
Some 50 establishments including a primary school building have been devoured by the river in the last two days.
