The Water Development Board has been forced to open the gates of the Teesta Barrage as the water level of the river has started increasing due to incessant rainfall and onrushing hill waters from upstream.

The Teesta was flowing at 51.98 meters at Dalia Point at noon on Monday, down from 52.10m at 9am. The danger level is set at 52.15m.

Asaf-ud-Doulla, executive engineer of Teesta Barrage Dalia point, said they decided to open all the gates of the barrage before any report of the danger level being breached.

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Earlier on Saturday, Teesta water was flowing 51.84 meters till 3 pm - 31 cm below the red mark at Dalia point following onrush of hill water from upstream at Gazaldoba in India.

The crops in the char areas have been inundated due to the rise in water level.

Rahim Mia, a farmer of Gobordhan area of Aditmari upazila of the district, told UNB's Lalmonirhat correspondent that residents of the district have been experiencing heavy rainfall for the last couple of days and the standing crops lands have been submerged.

Mafiz Uddin of Shoulmari char in Kaliganj upazila, said during the monsoon people are passing their days in fear of flood and many people remain stranded following the rise in water level.

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Executive engineer Sunil Kumar of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said an embankment costing Tk 49 crore has been built at Mahishkhocha area and geobags (sand-filled bags) were dumped in the erosion-prone areas.

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He also said that they are prepared to tackle any kind of emergency.