The water level of the Teesta River has continued to rise due to heavy rainfall and an influx of water from upstream areas of India, raising concerns of flooding in northern region of the country.
All 31 gates of the Teesta Barrage at Dalia in Nilphamari have been opened as the river continues to swell.
According to the Rangpur Water Development Board (WDB) control room, the water level at the Dalia point stood at 51.97 metres at 9am on Sunday, just 18 centimetres below the danger level of 52.15 metres.
The rising water has raised fears of flooding in several char areas of Dimla upazila in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat. At least 100 villages in low-lying areas could be inundated if the water level continues to rise.
The WDB has advised residents of vulnerable char areas to remain alert and keep themselves prepared to move to safer locations if necessary.
At the Mahipur Bridge point in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur, the river was flowing only 12 centimetres below the danger level, officials said.
At Kaunia, the water level was recorded at 28.74 metres, against the danger level of 29.31 metres, or 57 centimetres below the threshold.
Meanwhile, the Gangachara upazila administration has advised residents of 25 remote char villages, with a combined population of around 30,000, to remain cautious and prepare to move to safer areas if the situation worsens.
WDB Executive Engineer Hafizul Haque said heavy rainfall upstream and an influx of water from the hills were responsible for the rise in the river's water level.
He warned that the Teesta could cross the danger level if the upstream flow continues.
