Continuous heavy rainfall and water flow from the upstream have caused water levels in 16 rivers, including the Dharla, Dudhkumar, Brahmaputra and Teesta, to rise, leading to widespread flooding across Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts.
Around 25,000 people were marooned as the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat district have been flooded as the Teesta River continues to swell due to upstream water and persistent rainfall over the last several days.
Floodwaters have submerged vast stretches of low-lying areas and riverbanks, inundating paddy, peanut and chili fields.
Residents are growing increasingly anxious, not only about the rising waters but also of the looming threat of riverbank erosion.
As of 9:00am on Sunday, the Kurigram Water Development Board reported that while water levels in the Dharla, Brahmaputra, and
Dudhkumar rivers remain below the danger mark, the Teesta River at the Kaunia point has surged 33 centimeters above the danger level.
The Teesta's water levels are expected to begin receding by Sunday evening, said Raqibul Hasan, Executive Engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board.
However, he warned that other rivers in the region are unlikely to fall below danger levels soon.
The flooding has severely affected six unions in the Rajarhat, Ulipur, and Chilmari upazilas, where over a hundred homesteads and rural roads have been submerged along the Teesta's banks.
Around 500 families are currently stranded by the rising waters, said Khadija Begum, Rajarhat Upazila Nirbahi Officer, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Many residents are in need of immediate assistance.
The agricultural sector has been severely affected as well.
The exact extent of the damage remains unclear, but around 300 hectares of Aman paddy fields have been submerged, confirmed Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension.
Our Correspondent from Lalmonirhat reports that around 25,000 people marooned as the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat district have been flooded as the Teesta River continues to swell due to upstream water and persistent rainfall over the last several days.
Flood protection embankments are under threat from the heavy water pressure, with the Teesta flowing 2cm above the danger level.
Water Development Board recorded a water level of 52.17 meters at Dalia point of Teesta Barrage.
The strong current has washed away roads and bridge culverts, while standing crops, including Aman paddy and vegetables, have been submerged. Fish enclosures have also been swept away, causing significant losses to fish farmers.
Mashiur Rahman, Chairman of Dauabari Union Parishad, noted that around 3,000-3,500 families in the union have been marooned. Although the local administration has been informed, no relief materials have arrived yet.
HM Rakib Haider, the Deputy Commissioner of Lalmonirhat, stated that relief materials would be delivered soon. The situation is being monitored, and efforts are being made to protect the embankments with GO bags. Both district and upazila administrations are prepared to manage the flood situation,
