RANGPUR, June 21, 2023 (BSS) - The Teesta may cross danger mark (DM) at Dalia
point due to continuous rise in water level following monsoon rains and
onrush of water from the upstream in the last 24 hours ending at 9 am today.
 
Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) officials said water levels of the
Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Brahmaputra may rise rapidly due to heavy
rainfall forecast in the Brahmaputra basin and adjoining upstream region in
the next 24 hours.
 
"The Teesta may cross its DM at Dalia point in the next 24 hours due to heavy
rainfall forecast in the basin and adjoining upstream," said a bulletin
issued by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) of BWDB today.
 
The Teesta was flowing only 5cm below its DM at Dalia point in Nilphamari and
92cm below DM at Kawnia point in Rangpur at 9 am today.
 
The recorded rainfalls during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am today were
72mm at Kawnia, 130mm at Pateshwari, 108mm at Dalia, 75mm at Kurigram, 43mm
at Rangpur and 25.5mm at Chilmari points in the Brahmaputra basin.
 
"Besides, the recorded rainfalls during the period were 130mm at Cherrapunji,
97mm at Dhubri, 96mm at Passighat, 84mm at Jalpaiguri, 75mm at Kailashahar
and 58mm at Goalpara points of the northwestern Indian states in the
upstream," the bulletin said.  
 
The Dudhkumar was flowing below DM by 33cm at Pateshwari, Dharla by 63cm
below DM at Kurigram and Brahmaputra was flowing below DM by 53cm at
Noonkhawa, 32cm at Hatia and 65cm at Chilmari points respectively at 9 am
today.
 
The Jamuna was flowing below DM by 32cm at Fulchhari, 56cm at Shaghata, 55cm
at Bahadurabad, 65cm at Sariakandi, 133cm at Kazipur and 73cm at Sirajganj
points at 9 am today.
 
Local BWDB sources said a temporary flash flood situation is being created
gradually in the Brahmaputra basin due to rise in water levels of major
rivers following monsoon rains and onrush of water from the upstream during
the past few days.
 

Superintending Engineer for Rangpur Circle of BWDB Engineer Md Ahsan Habib
said BWDB with local administrations and monitoring committees are closely
monitoring the possible flash flood situation to take necessary steps.
 
"We have taken early preparedness to face any situation during possible
floods in all eight districts of Rangpur division under BWDB's Rangpur zone
when and where needed," he said.
 
Currently, all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage Project are remaining opened at
Dalia point in Nilphamari where the river was flowing only 5cm below DM at 9
am today.
   
Talking to BSS, Divisional Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman said he directed
the district administrations and BWDB in a meeting today to closely monitor
the developing situation to take immediate steps when and where necessary to
face the flood situation.
 
"I have directed the district administrations to keep relief goods ready in
advance at upazila levels and take preparations for conducting rescue and
relief operations during and post flood periods in affected areas to face the
flood situation," he said.
 
The Deputy Commissioners, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, BWDB authorities and
local public representatives are closely monitoring the flood situation in
the flood-prone districts.