Heavy rainfall and upstream hill torrents from India have caused the Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers to rise above danger levels, leaving over 100,000 people stranded across northern Bangladesh, including Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur.

In Nilphamari, approximately 10,000 families across two upazilas are trapped as floodwaters submerge homes, croplands, and vegetable fields, according to Amitav Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board (BWDB).

Authorities attribute the surge to continuous heavy rains and the opening of all gates at India’s Gojaldoba Barrage, which sent a large volume of water downstream into Bangladesh.

As of 9:00 a.m., the Teesta River was recorded at 52.30 metres—15 centimetres above the danger mark—up from 11 centimetres above danger level just three hours earlier. The river had been 7 centimetres above danger level the previous day.

Local officials report that many families are moving to safer ground, with urgent needs for food and clean drinking water. Zahangir Alam, Union Parishad chairman of Khagakharibari, said 80 families from a shoal in Pagolpara had already relocated, while more are preparing to evacuate as water continues to inundate their homes. Hafizur Rahman, acting chairman of Purbo Satnai Union, noted that around 1,500 families are affected in his area.

The Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers are also overflowing in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, submerging extensive riverside areas and chars (riverine islands). Over 100,000 people are stranded across Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Nilphamari, according to the Lalmonirhat District Relief and Rehabilitation Office.

Many residents have taken refuge on embankments and main roads, bringing livestock and belongings with them, and sheltering under temporary polythene tents. At Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat, water at the Teesta Barrage measured 52.30 metres, while the Dudhkumar at Pateshwari in Kurigram stood at 29.66 metres, six centimetres above the danger level.

BWDB officials warned that water levels are unlikely to recede soon. Shunil Kumar, Executive Engineer of Lalmonirhat BWDB, said that all gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened, causing downstream flows to rise further. The Teesta’s flooding has affected 33 unions across 13 upazilas, while the Dudhkumar has impacted eight unions in Nageshwari upazila, submerging over 220 riverbank villages and chars.

Rakibul Hasan, Executive Engineer of Kurigram BWDB, cautioned that if upstream flows continue, the Brahmaputra and Dharla rivers—currently below danger level—could flood within 48 hours, worsening the situation.

Crop losses are mounting. Large areas of Aman paddy and vegetables are underwater. Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said vegetables may suffer significant losses if floodwaters do not recede within three days, though Aman paddy may face relatively minor damage.

Villagers described the flooding as devastating. Sirajul Islam, a farmer from Kalmati in Lalmonirhat Sadar, said, “There’s waist-deep water inside my home. We’ve been sheltering under a polythene-covered hut and struggling with food shortages.” In Char Narayanpur, Nageshwari, Delwar Sheikh lost livestock and has been surviving on dry food.

Authorities are distributing relief, and boats are ferrying people from high-risk areas. Local officials report thousands stranded in individual unions, with relief distribution ongoing. Lalmonirhat DC HM Rakib Hayder confirmed that sufficient relief stock is available, while Kurigram DC Nusrat Sultana said evacuation operations are in progress.

BWDB officials emphasized that opening all gates of the Teesta Barrage was necessary to discharge water quickly, and while the situation remains under control, continued monitoring is crucial.