Water flows in Teesta above danger level

Water flows of Teesta River alarmingly crossed the danger level at Dalia point of Nilphamari district this morning near Teesta barrage inundating vast crops fields and homesteads in the low-lying areas and 15 shoals of Dimla and Jaldhaka upazila.

The river's outlook changed due to the heavy shower in the last 24 hours in the Teesta basin on both sides of the border, causing a heavy onrush of water from upstream.

Assistant Engineer Aminur Rashid of hydrology department of Water Development Board (WDB) in Rangpur said that the water was flowing 20 centimeters above the danger level at Dalia point near Teesta barrage.

The river first crossed the danger level on June 20 and inundated vast areas and receded within couple of days but the victims are faced with the same situation now as it has swelled again after six days.  

Moynul Islam, union parishad chairman of Tepa kharibari union in Dimla, said three thousand people in his union have been the worst affected. 

The people have been flooded with waist-deep water while there is a shortage of food with no means to cook either.

Shahidul Islam (50), living at Tapur Char said they were living in fear of the river swelling further as the onrush of water from upstream increases.

WDB authorities said they kept open all the gates of Teesta barrage to tackle the situation.