Despite a decrease in rainfall, the Teesta River has been flowing above the danger mark due to upstream flooding.
Vast areas of northern districts, including Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari, and Kurigram, have been submerged by floodwater, leaving around 50,000 people stranded.
The continuous rise in water level of the Teesta, along with rising water levels of other rivers, has caused severe flooding, damaging homes, crops, and infrastructures.
In Lalmonirhat, the Teesta River was flowing 2cm above the danger level at the Dalia Barrage point, according to the Water Development Board (WDB).
The authorities concerned opened 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage in an attempt to manage the heavy flow. Low-lying areas were inundated by floodwater, leaving around 20,000 residents of 15 villages marooned
Local farmers have informed that approximately 3,000 hectares of crops, including Aman paddy, have been destroyed by flooding, putting their livelihoods at risk.
In Rangpur, the situation is getting worse as Teesta River was flowing 29cm above the danger level at Kaunia point. Floodwaters have submerged vast areas of Gangachara, Kaunia, and Pirgacha upazilas, affecting thousands of families. Fields of early winter vegetables and Aman paddy have been affected while homes and livestock are also at risk. About 10,000 people are reported to be trapped in flooded areas, and many have been forced to evacuate.
The situation is also worsening in Nilphamari as the Teesta, Jamuneswari, Naldanga, and Ichamati Rivers continue to swell rapidly. Floodwater has already entered the low-lying areas of 15 villages in Dimla upazila, affecting over 2,000 families.
Croplands, including those of paddy and vegetables, have gone under water. Local authorities are working to relocate the affected families to safer places and are closely monitoring water levels.
Kurigram has also been severely affected as continuous upstream water flow has caused the Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Brahmaputra rivers to rise. Although some rivers are flowing just below the danger level, the Teesta River has been flowing 33cm above the danger mark at Kaunia, flooding nearby villages.
More than 500 families in six unions remain stranded, with homesteads and rural roads submerged. The agriculture sector has suffered a heavy blow as over 300 hectares of Aman paddy fields and seasonal crops go under water.
Amid these challenges, local residents are expressing frustration over the delay in the implementation of flood prevention measures, including the Teesta Master Plan. Many are calling for immediate steps to protect embankments and mitigate further losses. Despite promises of relief from local administrations, many affected families have yet to receive aid.
In contrast, water levels in the Padma River are beginning to recede, bringing some relief to people in areas of Chapainawabganj and Natore, where earlier flooding had damaged crops. However, floodwater has already extensive damage to paddy and vegetables in these regions.
As the flood situation worsens in the northern districts, officials from the Water Development Board have said that they are taking all necessary measures in this regard. District and upazila administrations are on high alert, and prepared to evacuate more residents if water levels continue to rise.
