Teesta water rising in Gaibandha, flood feared within 3 days

Water levels in all rivers across Gaibandha are rising due to hill runoff from upstream and days of continuous rainfall. Amid this, with water in the Teesta river rising at an alarming rate, the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has forecast a short-term flood in the Teesta basin of Sundarganj within the next three days. At the same time, river erosion has intensified across four upazilas of the district, now reaching 45 points.

According to data from the Gaibandha Water Development Board as of 6 am on Thursday (August 6), water in the Teesta river rose by 40 centimeters over the past 24 hours at the Kaunia point, flowing 11 centimeters below the danger level. During the same period, water levels in the Brahmaputra, Ghaghat, and Karatoya rivers also rose, though no river in the district has yet crossed the danger level.

BWDB data shows that although river water levels fell throughout last week, they began rising again from the middle of this week. If this trend continues, Teesta's water could cross the danger level within the next three days, triggering a short-term flood.

Alongside the rise and fall in water levels, river erosion has also intensified. Erosion is currently ongoing at least at 45 points across Sadar, Sundarganj, Fulchhari, and Gobindaganj upazilas, up from 25 points two weeks ago. The worst erosion is occurring in Sundarganj and Fulchhari upazilas. As a result, homesteads, farmland, and educational institutions are being swallowed by the rivers, and more than a thousand families in riverbank and char areas have been affected.

Executive Engineer of Gaibandha Water Development Board, Shariful Islam, said water levels are rising in all rivers of the district, with Teesta's water rising rapidly. He said that if the situation remains unchanged, a short-term flood could occur in the Teesta basin of Sundarganj within the next three days.

He said erosion is currently occurring at 45 points along the banks of the Teesta, Brahmaputra, and Ghaghat rivers. Anti-erosion work using geobags is underway on a priority basis at 34 to 35 of these points, with measures to be taken at the remaining areas in phases.

Meanwhile, officials of the relevant upazila administrations said the erosion-affected areas are being monitored around the clock. Necessary measures are also being taken in coordination with the Water Development Board to assist those affected and to prevent further erosion.