Bangladesh braces for flood risk as Teesta swells upstream in India

Bangladesh is on high alert as rising water levels in the Teesta River, fed by heavy rainfall upstream in India, pose a looming flood threat to northern regions of the country. The Teesta, which enters Bangladesh through Nilphamari’s Kaliganj, is expected to cross the danger mark, raising concerns of potential inundation in low-lying areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in Sikkim’s Mangan, Gyalshing, and Soreng districts, warning of possible landslides and flash floods due to intense rainfall. These upstream events have a direct impact on downstream flow into Bangladesh, especially along the Teesta belt, as per local media reports.

Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) reports that water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in the Rangpur Division are rising and may continue to do so for the next three days. “The Teesta may cross the danger level,” said Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer at the FFWC.

The situation is also escalating in the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, where rivers such as the Sari-Goyain, Jadukata, Dhalai, Someshwari, and Manu are expected to overflow. This could lead to localised flooding in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrakona, and Moulvibazar within the next 48 hours.

“Due to heavy upstream rainfall, river levels in Sylhet and Mymensingh may cross the danger mark in the next two days,” Raihan stated, adding that a gradual decline is expected from the third day.

The Surma and Kushiyara rivers are also swelling, with forecasts predicting continued rises before they begin to recede. In Chattogram Division, rivers such as the Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu, and Matamuhuri are expected to remain stable over the next 24 hours, followed by a decline in water levels.

In broader river systems, water levels in the Ganges-Padma basin may rise for the next five days but are projected to remain below danger levels. A similar upward trend is forecast for rivers in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin.

As authorities monitor the situation closely, residents in vulnerable areas are urged to stay informed and follow advisories. The FFWC and local disaster response teams are preparing for emergency action if conditions worsen.