Thousands Marooned As Teesta, Dharla Cross Danger Mark

Several hundreds of thousands of people in Lalmonirhat have been left marooned in chars and river basins as the waters of the rivers Teesta and Dharla crossed the danger level due to incessant rains and an upstream Indian onrush of water.

The water level of the Teesta River at the Teesta Barrage point in the Dowani area of Hatibandha Upazila flows 27 cm above the danger level, according to officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and district administrations, while the Dharla River at the Shimulbari point in Lalmonarhat Sadar Upazila flows 21 cm above the danger level on Thursday from 6 am.

In Kurigram, the water level of the Dharla River has also risen and flowed 5 cm above the danger level at the point of the Dharla Bridge since 6 am, BWDB said.

Many flood victims took shelter with domestic animals, including poultry birds and other belongings, on the flood control embankment.

As the water level of the Teesta and Dharla Rivers is rising, Mizanur Rahman Mizan, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said the Aman paddy and vegetable fields, roads and homesteads went under water.