Water level of the Teesta River has started rising due to the continuous rains and the hilly slopes coming down from upstream. The authorities have opened 44 sluice gates of the barrage to control the water level.
Record of Teesta water level
The water level of the Teesta was recorded at 51.86 meters (auto gauge), which is flowing just 30 centimeters below the danger level (danger level is 52.15 meters), at 9 am on Sunday (June 1).
On Friday (May 30) at 9 pm, the water level there was 110.30 meters. Currently, the water has started to recede there. At the same time, the water level at Domahoni point increased by 61 centimeters. At 9 pm, the water level at this point was 85.63 meters, which is 32 centimeters below the danger level.
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Why they open 44 sluice gates of Teesta River?
Due to several days of continuous rain and torrential rains in the upstream hills, the water level of the Teesta River has started rising again. As a result, thousands of people living along the banks of the Teesta in several northern districts, including Lalmonirhat, are in fear of flooding. The Low areas are the first to be affected when the Teesta River water level rises. There are 76 chars on the banks of the Teesta. Most of the people in these areas live on the char lands of the river, where the houses are relatively low.
As a result, these areas are more likely to be flooded as the water level rises. Despite the Water Development Board’s claim that there is no direct threat of flooding, there is concern among locals. Shamsul Alam of Char Dauabari area of Hatibandha upazila said,
“বন্যা এলে সবকিছু শেষ হয়ে যায়। কয়েক ঘণ্টার মধ্যে মাঠের ফসল, গরু-ছাগল, বাড়ির জিনিস সব ভেসে যায়। এবারও ভয়ে আছি।”
Translation: “When floods come, everything is gone. Within a few hours, crops in the fields, cows and goats, and household items are all washed away. I am scared again this time.”
Nurul Islam, a water meter at the Dalia Water Development Board, said,
“গত কয়েকদিন ধরে তিস্তার পানি বাড়ছে। তাই তিস্তা ব্যারেজের ৪৪টি গেট খুলে পানি নিয়ন্ত্রণ করার চেষ্টা করা হচ্ছে।”
Translation: “The water level in the Teesta has been rising for the past few days. Therefore, efforts are being made to control the water by opening 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage.”
