Tajidul Islam Lal, Rangpur correspondent
The rainy season means the panic and fear of millions of people on the banks of the Teesta. At least 5 to 6 times a year, the slopes of arable land, including houses and the people of the region floating in the flood, animals and plants. Upstream water is rushing through the 44 open gates of the barrage. Meanwhile, the main irrigation canals of Rangpur, Dinajpur and Bogra have been flooded. Due to this, there is a danger of flood in the villages on the banks of Teesta in Gangachara, Kaunia and Pirgachha upazilas of Rangpur. The Water Development Board, local administration and people’s representatives have made advance preparations to deal with the flood situation.
According to the Rangpur Water Development Board, the water level at Dalia Point in Teesta was 51.60 cm on Thursday morning. On the other hand, the flow of water at Kaunia Point was 26.6 cm. According to the latest information from the flood control room, the water level of Teesta River at Barrage Point is flowing below the danger level but the water level may exceed the danger level in next few days.
The Teesta floods more than once every year due to the upstream slope and heavy rainfall. Many homes were submerged in the river, crops sank, land was damaged, and village roads were destroyed. The Teesta water has started rising again since Wednesday night due to rains and downpour. The low pressure of the barrage has increased due to the increased pressure of water. Water is flowing rapidly in the lower parts of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur and Kurigram. In the meantime, the agricultural land of Char has been damaged. So the people on the banks of the Teesta are in danger of a big flood.
The Teesta and Dharla rivers could cross the danger line due to heavy rains and steep slopes from India, according to the Dhaka Flood Forecasting and Warning Center. Accordingly, flooding may occur in low lying areas. There are even fears of new areas being flooded by the collapse of the embankment. Due to this panic has spread among the residents of Charbagdahara, Gannarpara, Binbinar Char and Balapara Tepamdhupur Union of Kaunia Upazila, Haricharan Sharma, Azamkha, Bishwanath, Charganai, Rajib, Dhushmara and Talukshahabaj villages on the banks of Teesta river in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur.
According to the bullet in Gangadhara Char Bagdahara area, the water level of Teesta river has increased due to the downpour and yesterday’s rain. Eri paddy has not been harvested yet and the quantity of almond fields has been submerged. Ataur Rahman, a farmer from Gannarpar, said that last year’s river erosion had washed away about an acre of land along with his homestead with his neighbors Azizul Islam and Shahidul. At present they are making a living by working in other people’s houses with shelter in the dam.
According to several organizations working on the river, including the Riverine People, the Teesta River flows through 12 upazilas in 5 districts of Rangpur Division. 20,000 families have become beggars in the Teesta. And every year 25 to 30 thousand people become homeless. Some of them graze, some of them are tied up and some of them go to the city to earn a living.
Rashedul Islam, chairman of Tepamdhupur Union Parishad of Kaunia Upazila, said that 8 mouzas of my union are at high risk. Due to heavy rains and rising river water, almost all the houses in the mouza were flooded. River erosion occurs. He demanded to take various steps in advance including prevention of vandalism.