At least 12,000 families living in low-lying areas under Jaldhaka Union of Rangpur are currently marooned in flood waters as major rivers including Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma are swelling.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) on Monday said that a short-term flood may hit the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts too as due to heavy rainfall in the north-eastern region and adjoining upstream.
Due to incessant rains in the last few days and opening of all gates of India's Ghazal Doba barrage, Teesta water in Gangachra of Rangpur has increased drastically. Water from the upstream has flooded the lower part of Dimla in Nilphamari in the last 24 hours.
The low-laying areas of East Chatnai, Khagakharbari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagach Chapani, Gayabari and Golmunda, Dauabari, Shaulmari and Kaimari Union Parishads under Jaldhaka Upazila have already gone under water.
All gates of Teesta Barrage opened
The Water Development Board has been forced to open the gates of the Teesta Barrage as the water level of the river has started increasing due to incessant rainfall and onrushing hill waters from upstream.
The Teesta was flowing at 51.98 metres at Dalia Point at noon on Monday, down from 52.10m at 9am. The danger level is set at 52.15m.
Asaf-ud-Doulla, executive engineer of Teesta Barrage Dalia point, said they decided to open all the gates of the barrage before any report of the danger level being breached.
Earlier on Saturday, Teesta water was flowing 51.84 metres till 3pm – 31cm below the red mark at Dalia point – following onrush of hill water from upstream at Gazaldoba in India.
The crops in the char areas have been inundated due to the rise in water level.
Our Rangpur Correspondent Liakat Ali Badal contributed to the report.
