Photo : Messenger
Heavy rainfall and hill runoff are causing water levels to run above the danger level at Kaunia Point in Teesta. Although, crossing the danger level at Dalia Point in Lalmonirhat.
PAUB opened all the sluices at the barrage point. The water now entered the low-lying grasslands on both sides of the area. At least 10,000 people in these areas have become waterlogged.
Rangpur Meteorological Office Engineer Mostafizar Rahman said that, 221 mm of rain had fallen in Teesta barrage last 24 hours.
The Superintending Engineer of the Northern Water Development Board, Ahsan Habib, said that at 6 am morning, on Wednesday (June 19), Teesta's water flow was recorded as 28.90 centimeters, which is 15.15 centimeters below the flood limit. At 9 am another 5 cm increase higher. However, Teesta`s water is now flowing over 20 cm at this point. Earlier on June 14, 12 cm of water was flowing at this point.
On the other hand, the Teesta barrage point at Dalia in Lalmonirhat recorded 51.95 cm at 6 am, and 51.92 cm at 9 am. which were flowing 20 and 22 cm below the danger level respectively.
Supervising Engineer Ahsan Habib also claimed that the water level in Teesta at Dalia Point started rising on Wednesday morning due to the upstream flood and the rains of the last few days.
All 44 gates decided to be kept open to keep the situation normal. Also, at 9 am at Kaunia Point in Rangpur, 20 cm above the tidal limit is flowing. If rainfall in India spreads, the water level in the Teesta River in Bangladesh may rise further due to the flow from the upstream. Due to these circumstances, grasslands and low-lying areas are flooded.
According to the affected areas information, concerning water rises affected, Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari, Sadar, Nilphamari Dimla, Jaldhaka, Rangpur Gangachra, Kaunia, Pirgacha, Kurigram Rajarhat, Ulipur and Gaibandha's Sundarganj upazila have been flooded. Crops field, rops including nuts, and vegetables have been submerged. The people of the Teesta basin have suffered. unable to stay home, some took refuge in high places and centers.
Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nahid Tamanna said, those people who are living in grazing areas like riverside have been asked to move their cattle and other goods to higher places. He added the board has been kept ready for rescue in case of a flood.
Kaunia Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mahidul Haque said that, all kind of preparations will be made by the government and people to ensure that everybody is safe from upstream floods. In case of any kind of damage, they will be helped by the government.
Pirgacha upazila executive officer (UNO) Md. Nazmul Haque Suman said that action will be taken if the situation is about to go out of control. If any farmer is affected, government support will be provided.
Rangpur DC Mohammad Mobashwer Hasan said that, the administration has been prepared to deal with the circumstances and ground-level of conditions. We have all the possible preparations.
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Zakir Hossain told the media that till now the water of Teesta at Kaunia Point is going above the danger level. If there is no rain, the water will go down quickly.
However, the government has made all kinds of preparations so that no one is affected by the flood. Along with the administration, the local public representatives are constantly monitoring the situation along the river. Since the Teesta is a flush flood, the water rises but recedes quickly. We have put the local administration on maximum alert.
Messenger/Mannan/Sourov
