44 gates opened as water levels in Teesta rise
Lalmonirhat Correspondent
Authorities have opened 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage to control flow as water levels in the Teesta River began to rise due to incessant rainfall and upstream mountain runoff.
As of 9am on Sunday, the river's water level was recorded at 51.86 meters at the Dalia point (auto gauge), just 30 centimeters below the danger mark of 52.15 meters.
The Water Development Board claimed that there is no immediate threat of flooding, but concerns are growing among residents, particularly those living in the low-lying char areas.
There are 76 char regions along the Teesta in the district, many of which are already under threat.
Anwar Hossain, a resident of Char Dowabari in Hatibandha upazila, said, "When floods come, everything is lost—crops, livestock, belongings. We are scared that it might happen again."
Nurul Islam, a gauge reader with the Dalia Water Development Board, said the water level in the river for the past few days forced them to open the gates to control water flow.
