Flood fears mount in four Rangpur districts as Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers swell

Flood risks have intensified in four districts of Rangpur Division as water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers continue to rise, with the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) warning of possible short-term flooding within the next 24 to 48 hours.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast over northern Bangladesh and upstream areas of India could push river levels higher, increasing the likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas.

Data released by the BWDB control room on Monday morning (July 13) showed water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra rivers all increased over the past 24 hours. At 9:00am, the Teesta River at the Kaunia point in Rangpur had reached the warning level and was flowing 38 centimetres below the danger mark. Water levels in the Dharla, Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra rivers also rose but remained below their respective danger levels.

The FFWC said persistent rainfall is expected over Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions, as well as the upstream regions of Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal in India during the next 24 to 48 hours. As a result, river levels in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Rangpur may continue to rise, with some locations likely to exceed danger levels and trigger short-term flooding in adjacent low-lying areas.

However, the centre forecast that water levels in the affected rivers could begin receding within the next 72 hours.

Kurigram BWDB Executive Engineer Rakibul Hasan said authorities are closely monitoring the situation, warning that low-lying parts of the district remain vulnerable to flash flooding.

He added that repair work is underway at vulnerable sections of flood protection embankments to reduce potential damage.