Md. Lavlu Sheikh, Lalmonirhat

The water level of all rivers including Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar has risen again. As a result, there are fears that flood situation may arise in Lalmonirhat and the low-lying areas adjacent to the river at any time.

According to local residents and Water Development Board sources, the water flow in the Teesta River has increased fourfold due to the influx of water from India upstream and heavy rainfall over the past few days.

Due to heavy rains and upstream surges, the water flow at Dalia Point on the Bangladesh side is flowing close to the danger level.

The flood control embankments and elevated roads along the riverbanks are at extreme risk. Locals claim that these embankments, which have not been repaired for a long time, are at great risk in the ongoing floods. They allege that the Water Development Board leaves these without working on them during the dry season. When the monsoon comes, crores of taka of government money are wasted in the name of urgent repairs. However, if the embankments were repaired during the dry season, the works would have been completed. Similarly, river erosion and flood damage could have been avoided.

Tasar Uddin of Balapara village on the riverbank said, "The water had been rising and falling for a few days. Today, the amount of rise is higher. Water has started rising in many houses in the char area. Whenever there is a flood, children, the elderly and the disabled in the area have to live in extreme hardship. We also have endless suffering with cows, goats, poultry and chickens. In the midst of all this, there is an outbreak of snakes and insects. The longer the flood lasts, the more our suffering increases."

Officials of the Water Development Board said that the water level at Dalia Point of the Teesta River has increased due to the continued flow of water upstream. Due to this, light flooding may occur in the low-lying areas along the riverbank. The overall flood situation is being closely monitored. Residents of the low-lying areas along the riverbank have been advised to be alert.

Dalia Water Development Board Executive Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury said, "The water flow in the Teesta River has increased since Sunday night due to the upstream flow. At 6 am on Monday, the water flow was recorded 5 centimeters below the danger level. If the upstream flow continues, the flood situation may last longer. The water pressure depends on the upstream flow."