30,000 marooned in Nilphamari

The water level of Teesta was 52.04 metres yesterday morning, 12 cms above the danger mark, Water Development Board (WDB) sources said.

They said the river swelled as Indian authorities opened all the 44 gates to release rein-fed waters of the river in the upstream.

The situation may deteriorate as there has also been rains in northern districts of Bangladesh in the last three days, WDB Dalia Division Executive Engineer Atiara Rahman told this correspondent.

WDB officials said they could not take any precautionary measure and alert the people as the Indian authorities did not give them any information prior to opening the gates. The affected people could have moved to safer places had we got any prior information, they said.

Strong current of Teesta water has made vulnerable about 1,00 feet of the Teesta embankment at Holdibari in Jaldhaka upazila, they said. It may collapse any moment. WDB authorities at Dalia is trying their best to save the dam, they said.

If the embankment is damaged, more areas in Jaldhaka and Dimla upazilas will go under water.

Most of the houses in in Purbo Kharibari, Char Kharibari, Uttor Kharibari, Kisamat Char, Chhatunama, Dohol Para, Pagal Para, Baishpakur, Bhasanirchar, Soptighat, Fokroter Char and Vendabari in Dimla and Bhuban Char, Gopal Char, Koimari and Sholmari in Jaldhaka upazila have gone under waist deep water.

About 1,000 people have taken shelter on the 'guide dam' and Teesta embankment.

The Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mesbahul Haqe said the administration has taken all preparations to face the situation if the water rises further.