Today's Flood Update: Teesta River Water Level Approaches Danger Mark

Heavy rainfall and upstream inflows have pushed the Teesta River to just one centimetre below the danger level, heightening flood concerns in low-lying areas.

At 9:00am on Wednesday (22 July), the river's water level at the Dalia point in Nilphamari's Dimla Upazila was recorded at 52.14 metres, only one centimetre short of the danger mark of 52.15 metres.

The rising water has already begun inundating low-lying areas in several unions of Dimla Upazila, including Purba Chhatnai, Khaga Kharibari, Tepa Kharibari, Khalisa Chapani, Jhunagach Chapani and Gayabari.

In neighbouring Jaldhaka Upazila, parts of Golmunda, Dauabari and Shaulmari unions have also started going under water.

Tepa Kharibari Union Parishad Chairman Rabiul Islam Shahin told Dhaka Post that floodwaters had entered low-lying areas and warned that further rises in the river could trigger widespread flooding.

Amitabh Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, said the Teesta was flowing just one centimetre below the danger level as of 9:00am. He added that all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage had been opened to help regulate the increasing water flow, while cautioning that the river level could rise further.