Teesta River surges past danger mark, leaving thousands waterlogged in five Upazilas

The waters of the Teesta River have risen above the danger level following days of continuous rain and persistent upstream runoff.

As such, large swathes of the left bank of the river in Lalmonirhat District have been inundated for the third time this year, leaving thousands stranded.

At 6am on Thursday, the water level at Dalia Point was recorded at 52.26m, 11cm above the danger mark of 52.15m, according to Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board.

By 9am, the river was flowing 15cm above the threshold.

“Although the Teesta is above the danger level, the flood situation is still low-level,” Kumar said.

“The Water Development Board is ready to deal with any emergency.”

The flooding has reached low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat Sadar, Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj and Aditmari Upazilas.

Among the worst hit areas are the Dahagram in Patgram; Gaddimari, Doani, Chhayani, Saniajan, Singamari, Sindurna, Haldibari and Dauabari in Hatibandha; Botmari, Shailmari and Nohali in Kaliganj; Mohishkhocha in Aditmari; and Govardhan, Bahadurpara, Palashi and other low-lying parts of Khuniagachh, Kulaghat, Mogolhat, Rajpur, Barobari and Gokunda unions in the Sadar Upazila.

Residents said roads, docks and homes in the Char areas have been submerged, leaving locals in severe hardship, especially those caring for livestock, children and the elderly.