Teesta Water Nears Danger Mark, Flood Fears Grip 5 Northern Districts

The water level of the Teesta River is rising rapidly due to continuous rainfall and heavy upstream inflows, pushing the river dangerously close to its danger mark and sparking fears of flash floods across five northern districts of Bangladesh.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the Teesta was flowing just 13 centimeters below the danger level at the Teesta Barrage Point as of Saturday morning. 

BWDB data from 9 am on Saturday recorded the water level at the Doani Teesta Barrage Point in Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat, at 52.02 meters—just shy of the 52.15-meter danger threshold. 

Compared to the 51.64-meter reading taken on Friday morning, the river has surged by 38 centimeters within a 24-hour period.

Amitabh Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Dalia Division of the BWDB, confirmed that authorities have opened all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage to manage the increasing water pressure. 

He further noted that India has opened 20 gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage upstream, which is contributing to the sharp rise in water levels downstream. BWDB engineers have warned that if this trend persists, the river could cross the danger mark by Sunday morning.

The potential flooding threatens the Teesta basin across the districts of Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Gaibandha. 

Sunil Kumar, Executive Engineer of the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, explained that the surge is fueled by both local rainfall and runoff from upstream hilly regions. 

"As more water is still coming from upstream, the river level is likely to continue rising. We are closely monitoring the situation," he stated.

The impact is already being felt in low-lying char lands and riverbank areas, where floodwater has inundated homes and agricultural fields. 

Shamsul Haque, a farmer from the Goddimari area of Hatibandha Upazila, noted that water began entering their area early Saturday morning, stating, “If the water rises a little more, a flood situation will develop. The way the river is swelling, flooding could happen at any moment.”

Other local farmers reported significant agricultural losses. Nazrul Islam from Char Shaulmari in Kaliganj Upazila reported that his entire char has gone underwater. 

“We are still staying in our homes, but if the water rises further, we will have to move to safer places,” he said, adding that while daytime rainfall has been limited, runoff from the night continues unabated. 

Mokbul Hossain from the Mahipur char area expressed his concern, noting, “There are not many standing crops in the fields now but seedbeds prepared for Aman paddy seedlings have already been submerged.” 

Similarly, Sulaiman Ali of Char Rajpur reported that various vegetables cultivated on the char lands have been lost to the rising waters.

Ahsan Habib, Superintending Engineer of the Rangpur Zone Water Development Board, confirmed that authorities are keeping a close watch on erosion and water levels across the region. 

“Although no immediate flood threat has emerged along the Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, Dharla, Gangadhar, Jinjiram, and Ghaghat rivers there is a strong possibility of flood along the Teesta basin if water levels continue to rise,” he said.