Heavy rainfall and onrushing water from upstream rivers have caused severe flooding in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, leaving over 60,000 people stranded. Vast areas of low-lying land have been inundated, forcing many families to abandon their homes and seek shelter on roads and embankments with their livestock.
In Lalmonirhat, 15,000 families have been marooned as floodwaters continue to rise. All five upazilas of the district, along with Rajarhat, Ulipur, and Chilmari upazilas in Kurigram, are experiencing severe flooding, according to local authorities.
Farmers are facing the destruction of their crops, especially vegetables, as floodwaters submerge agricultural lands. Shamsul Alam, a farmer from Teesta village in Lalmonirhat, expressed fear that his vegetable crops planted on one bigha of land may be ruined. Similar concerns were echoed by farmers across the affected areas.
The Teesta River is currently flowing 33 cm above the danger level at Kaunia in Rangpur, with the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) warning of further water level rises. “Heavy rainfall and water from upstream have increased the Teesta’s flow,” said Shunil Kumar, executive engineer of BWDB in Lalmonirhat.
Floodwaters have also submerged a 500-meter stretch of the railway line in Lalmonirhat, temporarily disrupting train services between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat. Meanwhile, areas in Nilphamari, Rangpur, and other northern districts have also been affected by the flood.
In an attempt to manage water levels, all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened, according to officials. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has predicted an improvement in the flood situation within the next two days.
Additionally, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has pledged a portion of its surplus funds raised during recent floods in the southern region to aid flood-affected people in the northern region. Abdul Kader, a coordinator of the movement, confirmed that relief efforts will be conducted in collaboration with local administrations, and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will provide initial support.
As floodwaters continue to pose a threat, people in the affected regions face the challenge of protecting their homes, livestock, and livelihoods.
