Thousands waterlogged as Teesta overflows in Rangpur

Thousands of families have become waterlogged in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Thakurgaon under Rangpur division with the Teesta, Dharla, and Brahmaputra rivers crossing its danger marks following monsoon rains and onrush of water from the upper catchment.

According to Rangpur Water Development Board (WDB) sources, water levels of the major rivers and tributaries may continue to rise during the next few days in the Brahmaputra basin.

The Teesta was flowing 20cm above the danger mark at Dalia point in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat, Dharla by 13cm above the danger mark at Bridge point in Kurigram and the Brahmaputra by 9cm above the danger mark at Chilmari point in Kurigram.

The Brahmaputra was flowing only 3cm below its danger mark at Noonkhawa point in Kurigram district while the other rivers were flowing below their respective danger marks at different points.

Executive engineer of the Teesta Barrage division of WDB Md Rabiul Islam said all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage were opened at Dalia point in Nilphamari to control the upstream water.

Meanwhile, people living on the banks of the Dharla River are worried as they might soon become victims of river erosion and flood.

The overflow of water has damaged crops and seedbeds of Aman paddy. Fish farmers have also been severely affected as the fish were released from the ponds because of the flooding. Moreover, domestic animals have also been affected and farmers are trying their best to get their cattle to higher grounds.

A house submerged in floodwater in Thakurgaon on Friday, June 26, 2020 Dhaka Tribune

In Kurigram, thousands of people have become waterlogged as floodwater entered the low-lying unions running along the Dharla and Brahmaputra in four upazilas, said local representatives.

In Nilphamari, thousands of families have become waterlogged in lowlands and char villages of Dimla upazila, said Aminur Rashid, deputy assistant engineer of WDB.

In Lalmonirhat, hundreds of families living on the banks of the Teesta River have become marooned in Patgram, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Sadar upazila. 

In Thakurgaon, at least 500 families have become waterlogged and marooned in Khalpara, said Yasin Ali, a resident, while seeking government rehabilitation measures.   

In Gaibandha, people have become waterlogged and croplands inundated in quite a few areas in Uriya union under Fulchhari upazila, said Mahtab Uddin, UP chairman. 

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner KM Tariqul Islam said that many people were affected by the water level rise.

"Relief assistance is underway and we have also sought relief allocations from the government. The relief materials will shortly be delivered to severely-impacted people," he said.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of BWDB at Dhaka, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna may continue to rise during the next 10 days.

The water levels of the Brahmaputra and Jamuna may cross the danger marks at different points of, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra and Sirajganj resulting in short-medium duration flooding in the low lying areas for 5 to 7 days.

According to BWDB officials, the Teesta was flowing 38cm below its danger mark at Kawnia in Rangpur and Ghaghot by 42cm below its danger mark at Gaibandha points.

The Jamuna was flowing 11cm below its danger mark at Fulchhari point, 26cm below its danger mark at Bahadurabad in Jamalpur, 39cm below its danger mark at Sariakandi in Bogra, 36cm below its danger mark at Kazipur and 43cm below its danger mark at Sirajganj point.