The Indian side of Teesta river has issued a red signal on Tuesday. At 12 noon on Monday, at the country's largest irrigation project Teesta Barrage point, the river water flowed over the danger level (52.60) 28 cm. Meanwhile, at 8 am Indian time, the water is flowing over 3 cm after crossing the danger line (85.95 m) at Do-Mohani point. People living in the Teesta Basin have been told to evacuate.
According to the Water Development Board sources, the river water at Teesta Barrage point in Bangladesh at 8 am on Monday flowed 7 cm below the danger level and at 9 am 4 cm below the danger level but at 12 noon it flowed beyond the danger level of 28 cm. As the water level continues to rise.
The lower reaches of the barrage, including Gangachara in Rangpur, Kaunia, Pirgachha and Chargram in Lalmonirhat have been submerged. The Water Development Board also said that the flood situation in Teestapar is likely to deteriorate further as the water level continues to rise.
The people's representatives in the flood-hit areas have already been instructed to evacuate the people living in Chara Law and its adjoining areas. At the same time, through the social media WhatsApp, all the levels of government including the people's representatives of those areas are being kept in constant touch. This information has been confirmed by Ahsan Habib, Executive Engineer, Water Development Board, Rangpur. He added that they were on high alert to prevent any damage to the dam during the floods. Although no significant damage has been done to the dam so far.
Meanwhile, several days of continuous heavy rains and steep slopes have raised the water level of the Teesta River in Gangpur and Kaunia upazilas of Rangpur.
Many have left their homes and taken refuge in the dams of the Water Development Board. Due to the rise and fall of the Teesta, river erosion has intensified in Gangachara Upazila since June 18. Already many houses and cultivable lands have been washed away by the river. Hundreds of houses including educational institutions, hats and bazaars are under threat. Hundreds of houses have been submerged, especially in the western Bagerhat area of Laxmitari union of the upazila and in the western part of Binbina Char in Kolkonda union.
Roads and land crops have been damaged. On the other hand, more than 500 families of several villages including Char Ganai, Dhushmara, Hibbat Khan and Prannath Char of Kaunia upazila are under water blockade.
Zilufa Sultana, deputy director of local government in the Rangpur district administration, said the matter was being taken seriously.
People have already been taken to safety. Besides, round-the-clock monitoring is being done from the control room.
