Teesta River Water Above Danger Level, Low-Lying Areas Flooded..

Mohinul Islam Sujan, Crime Reporter. Due to continuous heavy rain and upstream floods, the water level of the Teesta River rose by 28 cm in just 9 hours At 9 AM on Wednesday (August 5) at the *Dalia Point in Dimla Upazila, Nilphamari of the country's largest Teesta Barrage, the river was flowing 13 cm above the danger level at 52.28 cm. The danger level at this point is 52.15 cm As a result, water has started entering the low-lying areas along the Teesta banks again. Meanwhile, to maintain normal water flow, 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage have been kept open confirmed Amitava Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, Dalia Division. Nurul Islam who measures the Teesta River water level for WDB Dalia Division, said that at 6 AM on Wednesday the water level of the Teesta was recorded at 52.28 cm which is 13 cm above the danger level It was still flowing at the same level at 9 AM, By 3 PM it had dropped and was flowing 1 cm above the danger level at 52.16 cm. In addition, 132 mm of rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours at the Dalia Point in the Teesta basin. Low-lying areas flooded, Due to the rise in water, it has started entering low-lying areas of *Purba Chatnai, Khogakhari Bari,Tepakhari Bari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagachh Chapani, and Goyabari unions of Dimla Upazila. At the same time, low-lying areas of Golmundha, Dauabari, and Shaulmari unions of Jaldhaka Upazila are also at risk of flooding. Rabiul Islam Shahin, Chairman of Tepakhari Bari Union Parishad, Dimla Upazila said, The Teesta water has risen and started entering low-lying areas. We are monitoring the situation round the clock. Concern over erosion and newly built spur, On the other hand, on July 22 when the Teesta water was flowing just 1 cm below the danger level increased water pressure and a shift in the river’s course to the right caused severe river erosion in Chhatunama, Kellapara, and Bhendabari areas of Jhunagachh Chapani Union, Dimla Upazila Later, to prevent erosion, the Water Development Board urgently started building a spur embankment using geo-bags and geo-tubes. But with the river water crossing the danger level again, local residents are now worried about the durability and safety of that spur embankment. Rashidul Islam, 60, from Kellapara village said, Severe river erosion started in our area on July 22. Many families moved their homes to safer places. Although the water started receding, many could not return and resettle. From this morning the Teesta water has suddenly risen again. So we are worried about the newly built spur embankment made with geo-bags and geo-tubes. Abdul Jalil from Chhatunama village said, This morning the Teesta water rose again and with strong currents, floodwater is entering low-lying areas. As a result, more than a hundred families are at risk of becoming trapped by water. Water Board statement,Amitava Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of WDB Dalia Division. said, From 6 AM on Wednesday, the Teesta water was flowing 13 cm above the danger level. To keep the situation normal, 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage have been kept open. He also added, At 3 PM the water receded and was flowing 1 cm above the danger level at this point.