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Continuous heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff have caused water levels in the country’s major rivers to rise rapidly.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), rising water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers could trigger short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts.
Authorities have opened all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage on the Nilphamari-Lalmonirhat border to manage the increased flow.
In its regular bulletin issued on Wednesday (July 8), the FFWC said heavy rainfall in India’s Gazoldoba and Sikkim regions is sending a strong upstream flow into the Teesta River.
Water levels at the Dalia and Kaunia monitoring points are now close to the danger mark and may cross it within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers, flowing through Kurigram and Lalmonirhat, are also nearing warning levels, raising the risk of flooding in nearby low-lying and char areas.
Meanwhile, heavy to very heavy rainfall caused by active monsoon conditions in the southeastern Chattogram division has temporarily raised water levels in several hill-fed rivers.
According to weather and flood forecasting authorities, rising water levels in the Muhuri, Halda, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers have increased the risk of short-term waterlogging and flash floods in parts of Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar and Feni districts.
FFWC Executive Engineer Sardar Uday Raihan said water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system remain stable but may rise slightly over the coming days. Although water levels in the Ganges-Padma basin are also increasing, they are still flowing below the danger level. Authorities are closely monitoring the flood situation and have advised people living along riverbanks to remain alert.
