Nearly 20, 000 people have been stranded in Lalmonirhat due to flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall over the past three days and onrush of upstream waters.

On Sunday night, the Teesta River’s water at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was recorded 52.45 cm above the danger level.

By 6am Monday, it was 10 cm above danger mark and by 9am it fell 3 cm below the danger level, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).

Officials said rising water level submerged several areas of Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari, and Lalmonirhat Sadar upazilas.

The affected villages include Goddimari, Duwani, Saniyajan, Singamari, Sindurna, Haldibari, Dauwabari in Patgram and Hatibandha; Votmari, Shoilmari, Kakina, Nohali in Kaliganj; Mahishkhola, Gobardhan, Kalmati, Bahadurpara, Palashi in Aditmari; and Folimari, Khuniagach, Kulaghat, Mogolhat, Rajpur, Borobari, Gokunda in Sadar upazila.

Teesta flowing 27cm above danger level at Dalia; flood threat in Lalmonirhat

Faruk Ahmed of Gobardhan village in Aditmari said there was little water until Sunday afternoon but it rose suddenly in the evening.

Their house was submerged forcing them to move a safe place, he said.

Rafiqul Islam from Sindurna village in Hatibandha said everything was submerged before eyes as water entered the house.

Ziaur Haque Zia, acting chairman of Goddimari Union Parishad, said several villages were inundated due to flash floods and heavy rainfall, leaving at least 5,000 people stranded.

Nurul Islam, in-charge at Dalia point Barrage, said although water was 30 cm above the danger mark at midnight it fell below the danger level by 9am.

Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat BWDB warned that continued heavy rainfall and upstream waters could raise water levels again and urged riverside residents to stay alert.

Deputy Commissioner of the district HM Rakib Haider said they were closely monitoring the situation.

The administration is ready to respond to any emergency, he added.