20,000 Rangpur residents stranded as Teesta flows above danger level

At least 20,000 people from 11 villages in Rangpur’s char areas have been stranded as the Teesta River is flowing 52 centimetres (cm) above the danger level due to incessant rains and an onrush of water from upstream of India.

According to the Water Development Board control room, the water of Teesta River was flowing 50cm above the danger level at Kaunia point in Rangpur at 6am on Friday. It has increased by another 2cm at 9am.

Due to this, hundreds of hectares of farmlands have been submerged in the floodwaters. 

Aminul Islam, chairman of Tepamdhupur Union Parishad, said the water level of Teesta River has increased to a record level in Kaunia upazila this year. 

The strong current of the river has swept away more than 50 sheep and goats. At the same time, there is a crisis of clean drinking water, he said.

Meanwhile, the marooned residents have complained that the administration has provided no relief materials for the two days and many are now starving due to the lack of food.

In this regard, Kaunia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohidul Haque said all kinds of materials are available to help the people affected by the flood. "We are taking measures to distribute dry food and other items among them soon.”

Meanwhile, residents along the banks of the Teesta River in Kurigram are enduring severe hardships as the erosion is consuming their land and homes.

The locals of the district’s Rajarhat upazila, who are mostly farmers and labourers, cannot afford to relocate and settle elsewhere.