The water level of Teesta River has started to rise at Kaunia point in Rangpur after few days of heavy rains and the flow coming down from upstream. In the meantime, the authorities have opened 44 sluices of Teesta Barrage in Dalia. There is panic on the banks of the river as Teesta water is flowing very close to the danger mark at Kaunia Point.
According to the Rangpur Water Development Board at 3 pm on Friday (June 14), the Teesta water flow at Kaunia Point was recorded at 28.63 cm, which is flowing below the danger level. Earlier the water flow at this point was recorded at 28.40 cm at 6 am and 28.50 cm at 9 am, 28.55 cm at 12 noon.
On the other hand, at 3 pm on the same day, at Dalia Point of Teesta Barrage, the country's largest irrigation project, the Teesta water flow was recorded as 51.30 cm, which is flowing below the danger line by 85.0 cm. Earlier, this point recorded a water flow of 51.75 cm at 6 am, 51.60 cm at 9 am and 28.46 cm at 12 noon.
Rabiul Islam, Executive Engineer of Rangpur Water Development Board, said that due to rainfall and upstream flow for the past few days, the water in the Teesta at Dalia Point started to rise from Thursday afternoon. All 44 gates of the barrage have been kept open to keep the situation normal. The Teesta water started receding slightly at Dalia Point by Friday afternoon. However, the Teesta water is flowing near the danger level at Kaunia Point in Rangpur district. Therefore, the condition of the river bank in the downstream region is being monitored all the time.
He also said that there is some fear among the people on the banks of the river when the Teesta water rises before the monsoon season. So far there is no sign of flooding. If the rainfall in India is high, the water coming down from the upstream can increase the water level of our river here.
Ansar Ali, Chairman of Balapara Union Parishad of Kaunia Upazila, said that the Teesta water has been increasing since morning. There is some fear among the people of river bank and Char villages due to the rise of water in the Teesta before the monsoon.
Mozaffar, a resident of Char Gonai village, said that the water in the river has started to rise in the morning. I am afraid If there is a flood before Eid, I will be in great danger.
Abbas Ali of the same area said that due to the sudden rise in water, there is a danger that livestock and poultry birds will also be in trouble.
Kaunia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahidul Haque said that the water in Teesta is increasing. There are no signs of flooding so far. However, the government has taken all kinds of advance preparations so that no one is affected by the flood.