Teesta flowing 15cm above danger level, fresh flood threat looms

The water level of the Teesta River has risen above the danger mark following days of heavy rainfall and a surge of upstream water from India, raising fears of a fresh spell of flooding in low-lying areas along the river.

According to the officials, the river was flowing 15 centimetres above the danger level at the Dalia Point of the Teesta Barrage at 9PM on Monday. 

The sudden rise in water has heightened concerns over a short-term flood in the Teesta river basin, particularly in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, leaving riverside residents on high alert.

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials and local sources said persistent heavy rainfall in upstream areas of India over the past several days has significantly increased the river's flow. The water level at Dalia Point was recorded at 52.30 metres on Monday night, exceeding the official danger level of 52.15 metres.

The Teesta last crossed the danger mark at the end of June, triggering a brief flood that subsided within a day. However, the river began rising again on Thursday, with water levels approaching the danger threshold by Monday evening. As the level continued to climb overnight, surpassing the danger mark, fears have grown that the region could experience its second flood of the current monsoon season.

As the river swelled, roads and agricultural land in several char areas began to go under water, affecting local communities and raising concerns over further inundation if the water continues to rise.

Amitabh Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the BWDB's Dalia office, said the river's flow had been increasing since Thursday afternoon due to continuous heavy rainfall and upstream runoff. He said the water level was 10 centimetres above the danger mark at 6PM on Monday and had risen to 15 centimetres above the danger level by 9PM.