The water level of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhar district has started to rise due to the onrush water from the upstream and persistent raining for few days. All 44 gates of the barrage have been opened to control the pressure of the increasing water level.

Water flow was recorded 5.87 cm at Teesta Barrage point at 3.00pm on Sunday and the water was flowing 0.28 cm below the danger level. It was flowing 0.23 cm below the danger level at Dalia point. Low-lying areas were being inundated because of the rise of water in the river.

Dalia Water Development Board executive engineer Asaf-ud-Daula said water level in the Teesta River has increased due to continuous raining in the upstream for few days. Attempts are being made to control the water by opening 44 gates, he said.

Asaf-ud-Daula said the water level of the river may cross the danged level at night.

Crops, including groundnut and jute, have been damaged in char and low-lying areas of the district due to the sudden rise of the water.

According to sources, water level started increasing in Dalia since Saturday afternoon. The water of the Teesta River was flowing 76 cm below the danger level at 6.00pm. Thought the water level was declined slightly in the evening but it started increasing from early Sunday. Water is entering into the low-lying areas of Dhalia.

Hundreds of people, who live on the banks of Teesta River, are suffering because of the rise of the water level. People living in char areas for farming are moving to villages and taking shelters in high lands.

Farmer Anwar Hossain of Char Sindurna said his groundnut and jute fields have flooded due to the rise of the water level.

Aditmari upazila nirbahi officer Golam Sarwar said, “Low-lying areas have been inundated as water level increased in Teesta River. We are contacting with local UP chairmen to keep update about the ongoing situation of their respective areas.”

He said local administration is alert to tackle any kind of emergency situation.

Lalmonirhat Water Development Board executive engineer Sunil Kumar said various works of Teesta project have done in different areas during the summer season.

An embankment has been built in Mohish Kocha area which cost Tk 49 crore, he said, adding that geo bags were dumped in erosion prone areas.

“We are prepared to deal with emergency situation,” he added.