20,000 marooned as Teesta swells past danger level in Lalmonirhat

20,000 marooned as Teesta swells past danger level in Lalmonirhat

Around 20,000 people have been marooned at five upazilas in Lalmonirhat as the low-lying and char areas of the Teesta river basin were flooded due to rain and onrush of water from the upstream in India today.

Flood water entered houses in 35 villages while croplands were submerged.

"The water level of the Teesta was flowing 20 cm above its danger mark at 52.6 metres at the Teesta barrage point at Doani area of Hatibandha upazila at 6:00am this morning," said Mizanur Rahman, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board.

He said around 20,000 people of 35 villages in Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari, Patgram and Sadar upazilas of Lalmonirhat were marooned.

"All 44 gates of the barrage were kept open due to the onrush of water from upstream," he said.

Sabed Ali (63), a farmer at Char Kalmati village in Lalmonirhat Sadar, said, "Some villagers went away to safe places, but many others like me are still at home."

"We took shelter on the roads as floodwater entered our houses," said farmer Abdar Hossain (56) of Gobordhan village of Aditmari upazila.

"Aman paddy saplings and vegetables in the village have been submerged," he added.

"Around 5,000 people of my union were marooned by the Teesta River water. Many living in the chars have taken shelter elsewhere," Mosaddeque Hossain Chowdhury, Mahishkhocha union parishad chairman of Aditmari, told.

Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Jafor said they have prepared to face the flood situation and if necessary, relief materials would be distributed among the flood-hit people.

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