Teesta swells in Lalmonirhat, forces opening of 44 barrage gates

The Teesta River has started swelling again triggered by heavy rainfall and the onrush of the upstream water in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat.

Teesta was flowing at 52.55cm, only 5 cm below the danger level, at Teesta Barrage Point in Hativandha Doani of the district on Wednesday noon, said Md Asfaudoula, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board.

Authorities have opened 44 gates of the barrage to cope with the water pressure.

About 5,000 people have been marooned on the banks of Saniajan and Teesta in five unions of Hatibandha.

Besides, the water level of Saniajan and Dharla has also increased, inundating the low lying areas along the banks of Saniajan River in Burimari, Srirampur, Baura, Hatibandhar, Fakirpara, Barkhata, Gaddimari and Saniajan union of Patgram upazila this morning.

Fakir Para Union Parishad UP member Lalchan Hossain said the water level in the Saniajan River has risen since last night. “As a result, about 4 to 5 hundred families in this ward including my house have been marooned.”

Mozammel Haque, 55, of Panibandi Ramniganj village, said there was no way to lit the stove as water entered the kitchen. “I have taken shelter on the road of the dam with cows and goats.”

Chairman of Fakirpara Union Parishad Fazlar Rahman Khokon said about 12 hundred people in 4 wards of Fakirpara Union have been marooned. “I have informed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer for relief assistance.”

Hatibandha Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Nazir Hossain said a list of how many people have been affected in the flood is being compiled. The families have pleaded to the deputy commissioner for relief assistance that will be distributed among the flood-hit families soon, reports UNB.