Teesta Nears Danger Mark, Flood Fears Grow in Lalmonirhat

Teesta neared the danger level at the Dalia point on Wednesday morning following heavy upstream inflows and persistent rainfall, raising fears of flooding as water began entering several low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Teesta's water level was recorded at 52.14 metres at the Dalia point at 9:00 am on Wednesday, just 1 centimetre below the danger level of 52.15 metres.

As the river continued to swell, floodwater started inundating low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat Sadar, Aditmari, Kaliganj, Hatibandha and Patgram upazilas, prompting concerns among residents about further flooding if water levels continue to rise.

Authorities have kept all necessary gates of the Teesta Barrage open to help manage the increasing flow.

Shamsul Haque, a resident of Mahishkhocha Union in Aditmari upazila, said water had already begun entering nearby low-lying areas.

"If the river continues to rise, more low-lying areas could be inundated," he said.

Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said the Teesta had been flowing just 1 centimetre below the danger level since 9:00 am, with the water level fluctuating due to continuous rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that rising water levels in major rivers, coupled with forecasts of heavy rainfall, could trigger floods in at least 16 districts.

According to the FFWC, water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers have risen significantly over the past 24 hours and are expected to continue increasing over the next two days.

The agency warned that these rivers could cross the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, potentially causing flooding in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram.