The water level of the Teesta river continues to rise due to the torrential rains coming down from the upstream and five consecutive days of rain. Meanwhile, Teesta river water is crossing the boundary at Dalia Point. Flood control dams are at risk due to increased water pressure. Thousands of people on the banks of the river are spending sleepless nights in fear of floods and erosion. The authorities have opened all the sluices of the barrage for several days to control the water.
According to Dalia Water Development Board sources, today (September 29) at 12:30 pm at Dalia Point of Teesta Barrage, water flow was recorded as 52.17 cm which is flowing 2 cm above the tidal limit.
Meanwhile, about 10 villages and lower areas of Dimla upazila’s Gayabari, West Chatnai, East Chatnai, Khagakharibari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani and Jhunagach Chapani unions have been submerged due to the increase in Teesta water. About two thousand five hundred people are trapped in these areas. Erosion of Teesta dam has occurred at several places. Char and low-lying Aman paddy fields, early winter vegetable fields and traffic roads have been submerged under water. Fish ponds and farms have been washed away. Many people are also in dire straits with livestock. Also, due to the increase in water due to continuous rainfall, the water in all the rivers of the upazila has also continued to increase. Roads are at risk of collapse. Along with this, various crops including early winter vegetables and seedbeds are being destroyed due to water rising in the cropland.
Dalia Water Development Board’s water gauge Nurul Islam told daily Naya Digant that on Saturday (September 28) at 11 pm, the height of water flow was recorded at Dalia Point of Teesta at 52.17 cm. That is, water is flowing over 2.2 centimeters of the boundary (52.15 centimeters). Earlier, from 12 noon to 10 pm, the water flow was recorded as 52.10 cm which is flowing 5 cm below the flood line. At 9 o’clock the water flow recorded was 52.00 cm which is 15 cm below the flood line. At this point, if the water flows above 52.15 cm, it crosses the boundary.
Babu Mia (30) of Baish Pond area told Naya Digant that after 11 o’clock tonight, the water in the Teesta river rose and the water came to our house. Maybe the water will rise again in the middle of the night. In such a situation, the residents of the riverside have spent sleepless nights in fear.
Habibur Rahman (50) of Sonakhuli area said that as the village is in the downstream of Teesta barrage, it has to be affected by flood when the water rises. Teesta river water entered the village yesterday morning. Teesta water is now inside the house.
Majedul Islam (27) of Chotakhata area said that the dam collapsed due to rain. If the dam is not repaired by the Water Development Board, the breach may take a bigger form.
Farmer Ariful Islam (35), a resident of Kisamat Char of the upazila, said that river water has started entering the house since early morning. Many families in Char are moving their belongings to safety as Teesta water rises.
Md. Abdul Latif Khan, Chairman of No. 10 East Chatnai Union Parishad, said that about 1300 families of 6 wards of Jharsingheshwar and East Chatnai Mauza are water deprived.
In this context, number 7 Khalisha Chapani Union Parishad Chairman Md. Sahiduzzaman Sarkar told daily Naya Digant that more than 400 houses were flooded in Baish Pukur area. Due to the flooding of low-lying areas, houses and roads are at risk of collapse. Along with this, early winter vegetables and various arable crops are being destroyed due to rising water in the cropland.
Mohammad Rashedin, deputy engineer of Water Development Board Dalia branch, said that due to continuous rainfall, the water level of Teesta has started to rise. Since the morning, the water is flowing below the danger level, but around 11 pm, the Teesta water is flowing above the danger level. All water closets are opened and water flow is controlled.
In-charge of Dimla Meteorological Office, Abdus Sabur Mia told daily Naya Diganta that 150 mm rainfall has been recorded in Dimla upazila in the last 48 hours. He also said that most parts of the country including Rangpur division may experience light to moderate heavy rain with gusty winds temporarily. Along with this, moderate to heavy rainfall may occur in some parts of Rangpur division.
Assuring relief assistance, Nilphamari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman said that the issue of Teesta is under the attention of the administration. We are keeping track. Upazila administration, water development board and local public representatives have been instructed to take overall care.