Heavy rain has raised the water level of the Teesta River. Yesterday, India released around 11,000 cubic meters of water twice from the Gajoldoba Barrage without informing Bangladesh beforehand, according to the country’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Center.
Sardar Uday Raihan, an official from the center, confirmed that Bangladesh received no notice of the release.
As a result, over 23,000 families in northern districts like Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Rangpur are now flooded. The Teesta River’s water level exceeded the danger mark at several locations over the weekend.
At Dalia Point in Lalmonirhat, the Water Development Board reported water above the danger level in the morning, which receded by the evening.
The Teesta flows from the Himalayas through India and into Bangladesh, where both countries use barrages to manage water levels. India’s Gajoldoba Barrage released about 6,000 cubic meters per second on Friday night and another 4,700 cumecs early Saturday.
Parts of Sikkim and Kalimpong in India have also experienced heavy rain for three days, according to the West Bengal Irrigation Department.
