44 barrage gates opened as Teesta swells, flood risk in 5 districts

Heavy rainfall over the past few days has caused water levels in major rivers across Rangpur division to rise sharply.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center issued a warning on Friday night (September 27), stating that the Teesta River could overflow, leading to floods in grasslands and low-lying areas of several districts.

According to the forecast, the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Upper Karatoa, Upper Atrai, Punarbhaba, Tangan, Ichhamati, Jamuna, and Jamuneshwari rivers may flood parts of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha districts. Grazing lands and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.

Meanwhile, rising water levels in rivers across Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jessore, Satkhira, Khulna, Rajbari, Faridpur, Madaripur, and Shariatpur districts are being fueled by increased flow from the Ganga-Padma and recent heavy monsoon rains.

In preparation, the Bangladesh Water Development Board has canceled leave for its staff in affected regions, putting all officers and employees in the Northern, Western, and Southwestern zones on alert until further notice.

Teesta Barrage gates opened 

Reports from Lalmonirhat indicate that all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage were opened on Friday as the river’s water level surged due to upstream runoff and continuous rainfall, inundating low-lying areas. The Water Development Board recorded a water flow of 51.83 cm at the barrage point that afternoon.

Mohammad Rashedin, deputy engineer of the Water Development Board at Dalia point, noted that while the Teesta was still flowing below the danger level, all 44 gates were opened due to the rapid rise in water. However, riverbank erosion has worsened due to the swelling caused by days of torrential rain.

The Local Weather Observatory Centre in Rangpur reported 130 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Friday afternoon. Hossain Ali, a resident of the Char Gaddimari area, said that roads in various parts of the district were submerged, sparking fears of flash floods. Ziaul Haque Zia, acting chairman of Gaddimari union in Hatibandha upazila, confirmed that roads and low-lying areas had been flooded after two days of heavy rain.