Floods have hit four northern districts — Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari and Kurigram — as the Teesta river swelled beyond the danger mark following heavy rainfall and onrush of water from upstream hills.
More than 150 chars and low-lying areas have gone under water, submerging vast stretches of Aman paddy and vegetable fields since last night.
The Teesta was flowing 35 centimetres above the danger mark at Teesta Barrage point in Doani area of Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha upazila at 10:00pm yesterday, prompting the Water Development Board (WDB) to issue a red alert. Loudspeaker announcements were made to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas. Although water began to recede slightly at dawn today, it was still flowing above the danger level. According to WDB, the river water was measured at 52.25 metres at the Teesta Barrage point at 6:00am today, 10 centimetres above the danger mark.
Amitav Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Dalia WDB, said, “On Sunday night, as water levels rose well above the danger level, we declared a red alert and evacuated people from risky villages. Had the water not receded by dawn, we would have had to cut the bypass road to save the barrage. All 44 gates of the barrage have been opened.”Shunil Kumar, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat WDB, said, “Water levels have slightly dropped at the barrage but are rising downstream. Around one lakh people are marooned along the Teesta shoal areas. Flood control embankments are under threat, though no majMeanwhile, Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of Kurigram WDB, said, “Although flooding has been reported along the Teesta basin, water levels in the Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, Dharla, Ghaghat, Jinjiram and Kaljani rivers are still below the danger level.”
In this situation, farmers expressed their fears over losses.
Solaiman Ali, 65, a farmer from Char Gobordhan area in Aditmari upazila, said, “Since Sunday night, waist-deep water has entered our homes. We are living on beds. My eight bighas of Aman are under water.”or damage has been reported yet. We are closely monitoring the structures.”Shahidur Rahman, 60, a farmer from Doani area in Hatibandha, said, “Hearing the WDB announcements, we rushed to shelters with our cattle and furniture. Floodwaters are flowing through our house and many of our belongings may be swept away.”
Majibur Rahman, 70, of Goddimari, said, “Floodwater entered my home Sunday night, forcing us to take shelter on the embankment. Six bighas of Aman and one bigha of vegetables have already gone under water.”
Mobarok Hossain, 60, a farmer from Char Mohipur in Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila, said, “The flood warning saved our lives, but furniture inside my house may be carried away by the current.”Sirajul Islam, additional director of the Rangpur regional Department of Agricultural Extension, said, “We are assessing the extent of crop damage across the four districts. Vegetable fields are at risk, though Aman paddy can withstand waterlogging for three to four days. Our field officers are working on the ground.”
Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) HM Raqib Hayder said, “Evacuations from risky areas were carried out on Sunday night. Relief and dry food are being distributed among the flood-hit people.”
