Heavy runoff from upstream hills has pushed the Teesta River’s water level above the danger mark, leaving thousands of families stranded in low-lying areas, chars, and river islands across three upazilas in Rangpur. Local representatives have issued flood warnings to riverside communities.
According to the Water Development Board, water levels have been rising for several days due to rainfall and runoff from upstream. At noon on Wednesday (August 13), the Teesta’s water at the Dalia point flowed 4 centimeters above the danger mark. At Kaunia point, it was 33 centimeters below the danger mark, despite rising steadily since morning. The flooding has already entered houses in Gangachara’s Nohali, Alambiditor, Kolkond, Lakkhitari, Gojoghonta, and Morneya unions; Kaunia’s Balapara and Tepamadhupur unions; and Pirgachha’s Chhaola union. Many residents have taken shelter on higher ground with their belongings.
Dulali Begum of Char Shankardah in Lakkhitari Union, Gangachara, said, “The river is eating away at the bank near my home. For the last few days, water has been coming into the house, then receding. Now we hear it will rise again, so we’ve put some things on the bed.”
Local resident Ansar Ali said, “The rise and fall of the river has started erosion. The bridge protection embankment is collapsing, and our farmland has already been lost. For years we’ve been hearing about the Teesta project, but it never happens.”
Lakkhitari Union Parishad Chairman Abdullah Al Hadi said water levels are rising due to inflow from India. “There’s a forecast of water rising throughout the day. I’ve already informed my union’s residents about the situation,” he added.
Water Development Board Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam said Panchagarh district saw 200 millimeters of rainfall on August 12, while India’s Assam and West Bengal experienced heavy to very heavy rains upstream. “There’s a forecast of continued heavy rainfall in Rangpur division and upstream on Wednesday, so the Teesta’s water has already crossed the danger mark,” he said.