Due to the rapid rise of water levels in the rivers of the country's northern, north-eastern, and northern regions, a risk of flooding has emerged in several districts. Meanwhile, the water of the Kushiyara River at the Fenchuganj point in Sylhet has crossed the danger mark. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that a flood situation may arise within the next 48 to 72 hours in the low-lying areas adjacent to rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Sherpur, Mymensingh, and Netrokona, leaving local residents in severe distress.
This information was disclosed yesterday, Sunday, in a bulletin regarding river situations and forecasts published by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre. The bulletin stated that according to data at 9:00 AM, the water level of the Kushiyara River at the Fenchuganj station in Sylhet was recorded at 1.49 meters, flowing 4 centimeters above the seasonal danger level. Over the past 24 hours, the water level at this station has risen by another 3 centimeters. Additionally, the Teesta River at the Dalia point in Nilphamari, the Kushiyara River at the Markuli point in Sunamganj, and the Someswari River at the Kalmakanda point in Netrokona are flowing at warning levels.
The Flood Forecasting Centre stated that the water levels of rivers in the Surma-Kushiyara basin in the north-eastern part of the country have increased over the past 24 hours. This trend may continue for the next three to four days. As a result, the water of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers may cross the danger mark at several points in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts within the next 72 hours, potentially creating a short-term flood situation in the adjacent low-lying areas.
The agency also described the situation in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin as concerning. The water levels of the rivers in this basin have risen over the past 24 hours, and this trend may continue for the next five days. Between July 1 and July 3, the water of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna may touch the warning level at various points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Bogura districts, raising fears of inundation in some low-lying areas along the riverbanks.
Regarding the Ganges-Padma basin, it was reported that while the water level of the Ganges has decreased slightly over the past 24 hours, the water level of the Padma has increased. The water levels may remain stable for the next two days, after which they might rise over the following three days but are likely to stay below the danger mark.
Although the water levels of the Teesta, Dudhkumar, and Dharla rivers in the Rangpur division remained stable over the past 24 hours, they are expected to rise over the next three days. According to the forecast, these rivers may cross the danger mark within the next 48 hours, causing short-term flooding in the low-lying areas adjacent to rivers in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, and Gaibandha districts.
On the other hand, the water levels of the Sarigowain and Jadukata rivers in the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions have increased. While the water levels of the Manu, Khowai, Dhalai, Someswari, and Bhugai-Kangsha rivers dropped slightly, they could rise again over the next three days. During this period, the Bhugai-Kangsha and Someswari rivers in Sherpur, Mymensingh, and Netrokona districts may flow at warning levels, threatening to temporarily submerge the surrounding low-lying areas.
Forecast of Heavy Rainfall for the Next Four Days
Citing data from meteorological agencies, the Flood Forecasting Centre stated that heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur over the next four days in the Rangpur, Sylhet, and Mymensingh divisions of the country, as well as in West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal, and Meghalaya in India. Following this, there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall for another day. Due to this upstream rainfall, the water levels of rivers in the northern and north-eastern regions of the country may rise further. According to the rainfall data of the last 24 hours, the highest rainfall in the country was recorded at 135 mm in Lama, Bandarban.
Teesta River Water Above Danger Level in Nilphamari
Due to the upstream rush of water, the Teesta River has crossed the danger mark in Nilphamari. At 6:00 PM on Sunday, the river water at the Dalia Teesta Barrage point was flowing 7 cm above the danger mark. According to sources at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Dalia Water Development Board, the river water crossed the danger mark at 6:00 PM due to heavy upstream rainfall and mountain runoff, flowing 7 cm above the mark, and the water level continues to rise.
Earlier on Sunday at 6:00 AM, the river water at that point was flowing 20 cm below the danger mark. Since then, the water began to rise, flowing 18 cm below the danger mark at 9:00 AM, 17 cm below at 12:00 PM, and 12 cm below at 3:00 PM. The danger mark at that point is 52.15 meters.
Abdul Latif Khan, Chairman of Purbo Chhatnai Union Parishad in Dimla Upazila of the district, said:
"As the river water crossed the danger mark, water has entered Jharsingheshwar and Purbo Chhatnai villages of my union. Around 1,200 families in these villages have become waterlogged."
Similarly, Mo. Robiul Islam, Chairman of Tepakharibari Union Parishad, stated that the river water had been fluctuating for about a week. As it crossed the danger mark on Sunday evening, the low-lying villages were flooded.
Amitava Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, said:
"The Teesta water is rising due to heavy upstream rainfall and mountain runoff. At 6:00 PM on Sunday, the river water at the Teesta Barrage point crossed the danger mark and was flowing 7 cm above it. There is a possibility of the water rising until late tonight. To control the situation, all 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been kept open."
Low-Lying Areas Inundated in Lalmonirhat, Hundreds of Families Sleepless
Due to mountain runoff rushing from upstream and rainfall, the water level of the Teesta River has risen and is flowing above the danger mark. As a result, the riverbanks, low-lying areas, and char (river island) areas of 5 upazilas in Lalmonirhat district have been inundated. Hundreds of families have already become waterlogged, and the number of stranded people is increasing with time. Due to the intense pressure of water, the flood control embankments, which have not been renovated for a long time, have become extremely vulnerable.
According to Water Development Board (WDB) sources, at 6:00 PM on Sunday, the water flow of the Teesta River at the Dalia point of the country’s largest irrigation project, the Teesta Barrage, was recorded at 52.22 meters, which is flowing 7 cm above the danger mark (52.15 meters) at this point.
Local residents and the WDB stated that the water in the Teesta River increased due to heavy rainfall in India upstream for the past few days. Earlier this season, on June 23, the water at the Dalia point crossed the danger mark by one centimeter for the first time, but it receded the very next day. However, after fluctuating for a few days, the water started rising rapidly again from Sunday noon and crossed the danger mark in the evening.
Azijar Rahman, a resident of Gobardhan village on the banks of the Teesta, said:
"The water has been rushing up since afternoon. Water has already entered several houses in the char areas. Given the water pressure, I fear a major flood. If a major flood occurs, the embankments left unrenovated for a long time might break, creating a horrific situation. During floods, we people on the riverbanks spend sleepless nights."
Amitava Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, stated that the water in the Teesta River rose from Sunday noon due to the upstream rush. At 6:00 PM, it was recorded 7 cm above the danger mark. As a result, a mild flood has appeared in the low-lying areas along the riverbanks. The situation is being closely monitored, and residents along the riverbanks have been advised to remain alert. The official added that if the upstream rush continues, the flood situation could be prolonged.
Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, Sunil Kumar, said:
"The situation of the Teesta River is being closely monitored. Necessary measures will be taken if the water continues to rise. At the same time, residents along the riverbanks have been advised to remain alert.
