Brahmaputra, Teesta water levels on the rise

Water levels of 26 rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Dharla, have been steadily rising over the last few days due to rainfall and inflow from the upstream.

Although the water remains below danger levels, residents living along the riverbanks in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts are concerned due to foreboding flood risk.

Water Development Board (WDB) officials said in the last 12 hours alone, the Brahmaputra's water level rose by 35cm, the Teesta by 45cm, and the Dharla by 40cm.

At 6:00pm today, the Brahmaputra's water level at the Noonkhawa point in Kurigram was recorded at 22.52 metre, well below the danger level of 26.05m. At Chilmari point, the level stood at 20.53m, against the danger level of 23.25m.

The Teesta's water at Kaunia point in Kurigram was recorded at 28.34m, slightly below the danger level of 29.31m. At the Dalia point near the Teesta Barrage in Lalmonirhat, water was flowing at 51.20m, little below the danger mark 52.15m. Meanwhile, the Dharla's water level at Shimulbari was 28.64m, while the danger level there is 30.87m.

Local residents say the rapid rise of the river water is raising alarm in the flood-prone regions.

Nizam Uddin, 65, a farmer from Khuniagach village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila, said, "It's been raining for days. The water level of the Teesta has been increasing steadily, and since Tuesday morning, it's rising even faster. If this continues, there could be flooding along the Teesta shoal."

Hamza Mia, 60, a farmer from Jorgachh village in Kurigram's Chilmari upazila, echoed the concern.

"From Tuesday morning, the Brahmaputra started rising sharply. Water is flowing down from upstream constantly. If this keeps up, flooding along the Brahmaputra seems inevitable. And if it happens unexpectedly, people living near the river will suffer badly."

However, WDB officials say there is no imminent threat of flooding.

Shunir Kumar, executive engineer of WDB in Lalmonirhat, said, "Though the water level of the Teesta has gone up slightly due to rain and upstream flow, we are not expecting it to cross the danger level at this point. So, there is no immediate risk of flooding."

Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of WDB in Kurigram, said 191mm of rainfall was recorded in the Brahmaputra basin area between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

"The river water is rising, but the levels are still significantly below the danger mark," he added.