Indian dam damage causes sudden flood situation in Teesta basin

The release of water from the Chungthang Dam near Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim of India on Wednesday led to a sharp rise in water level upstream creating a sudden flood situation in the downstream Teesta basin of Bangladesh.

"Due to damage caused to the Indian dam on the river Teesta in upstream due to overflow of water, water level of the river marked sharp rise and was flowing 25cm above the danger mark (DM) at Dalia point in Nilphamari at 8 pm today," an FFWC special bulletin said.

Quoting information received from the Indian Central Water Commission (CWC), the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) bulletin said water level of the Teesta may continue to rise in downstream Bangladesh.

"The Teesta may flow above its DM by 50cm by tonight at the Teesta Barrage Project (TBP) at Dalia point in Nilphamari and cross its DM at Kawnia point in Rangpur by tomorrow morning," the bulletin said.

As a result, a sudden flood situation might be created to inundate low-lying areas alongside the Teesta river course in Nilphamari, Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts by the next 24 hours.

"There is a forecast of heavy rainfall in the Indian Sikkim region during the next 48 hours and the flood situation may continue alongside the Teesta in downstream Bangladesh," the bulletin said, quoting information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

While talking to his reporter tonight, Additional Chief Engineer for Rangpur Zone of BWDB Engineer Md Mahbubur Rahman said pressure of the rushing water is very high in hilly Chungthang Dam areas due to very high slope in the upstream.

"Pressure of flowing water gradually becomes lower in the downstream plain land areas due to lower slope. There is almost no possibility of a long-term flood in downstream areas in the Teesta basin," he said.

"However, we have taken all necessary measures and kept all 44 gates of the TBP on the Teesta at Dalia point in Nilphamari district to control the huge water flow for safety and security of barrage," Engineer Rahman said.

Divisional Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman said the district and upazila administrations have taken necessary steps to shift people living in vulnerable areas alongside the Teesta to flood shelters and conduct relief and rescue operations if necessary.

"We have adequate preparations and the upazila administrations have ample stock of relief materials allocated earlier by the government through the district administrations to conduct relief operations when and where necessary," he said.

Officials of the district and upazila administrations and BWDB and local public representatives are closely monitoring the developing situation on the grounds to take instant steps when and where necessary, he added.

Source: BSS