United News of Bangladesh

The Teesta Barrage, the largest irrigation project in Bangladesh, has allegedly become a center of mismanagement, corruption, extortion, and land grabbing, putting the lives and livelihood in the northern region under risk. Located at the Lalmonirhat-Nilphamari junction, the barrage was constructed in 1988 with 52 gates to protect five northern districts—Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha, and Nilphamari—from Indian water aggression and to ensure irrigation. Officials tasked with protecting state resource are allegedly involved in these illegal activities under political protection. Experts said unless action is taken immediately, the barrage may fail to fulfill its core purpose—ensuring irrigation and saving farmers’ livelihoods in drought-prone areas. Political party leaders of successive governments have collected tolls illegally from the vehicles over the years and the situation has not changed after political changeover, alleged locals. According to engineering design, the barrage can handle a maximum load of 20 tons but 300–350 trucks carrying 30–40 tons pass through daily. An official involved in the barrage’s maintenance, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Around Tk 15 lakh is extorted daily. We cannot intervene as our jobs would be at risk.” The official said the reckless toll collection threatens the barrage’s structural integrity, with cracks appearing in several points. An Ansar member said, “They collect a big amount of toll from each truck. We only do our duty; the real share goes up the chain.” In 2014, heavy vehicles passing through gates 24, 27, and 28 of the barrage was prohibited after cracks appeared. Read: Teesta, Dharla erosion leaves thousands in Lalmonirhat at risk Although toll collection was officially halted on paper a new chapter of extortion began. Several people preferring anonymity said after political changeover in August last year, leaders of different political parties from Hatibandha, Patgram, and Dimla formed alliances to continue extortion. DIG Aminul Islam of the Rangpur police range said, “Since  2024 July uprising  we have not received credible reports of extortion at the barrage. Appropriate measures will be taken if we get information.” Ahsan Habib, Superintending Engineer of the Rangpur region under WDB, said, “We are trying to prevent any misuse of the barrage.” Besides, irrigation canals have allegedly been occupied by influential people. Although mineral extraction is prohibited within a one-kilometer radius of the barrage sand is being extracted from the barrage site, altering river paths and endangering the structure. A Water Development Board official said repeated written complaints were ignored due to the syndicate’s influence. Police and RAB records show over 1,200 bottles of Phensedyl and thousands of Yaba pills were recovered from the barrage area last year. Read more: Lalmonirhat flood: Teesta water recedes, miseries mount Local residents question how drugs can bypass CCTV, Ansar battalions, and police patrols. Two weighing scales built at a cost of Tk 1.5 crore remain nonfunctional for years as political influence and corrupt officials allegedly delayed repairs intentionally. Locals said if the barrage was properly managed it could support farmers and attract tourists  but it has now become a stronghold of corruption. Monirul Islam, Executive Engineer of the Mechanical Division at Dalia WDB, said, “Vehicles should not exceed 20 tons. Requests for scale repair have been submitted.” Amitabh Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of the Power Division at Dalia WDB, said, “Heavy vehicles are not allowed. We are working on 35 packages for canal renovation and 10 have been completed. We will take step for land acquisition once we get the budget. We are helpless in stopping extortion.” Read more: Govt is prioritising efforts to prevent erosion along the Teesta: Adviser Rizwana Dr. Tuhin Wadud, Chairman of river research institute Riverain People, said, “Improper Teesta flow causes nearly Tk 1 lakh crore in annual flood damages. Mismanagement of the barrage endangers the entire region including Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram. Authorities must act now and the extortion around the barrage must be stopped immediately.”

Low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat district have been flooded as the Teesta River is flowing 20 cm above the danger level at Dalia point due to continuous rainfall for the last few days until Monday (August 14, 2023) and the onrush of upstream water. The water flow at Dalia point of Teesta Barrage, the country's largest irrigation project, was recorded at 52.35 cm at 6:00 am on Monday, 20 cm above the normal level of 52.15 cm. Read: Untimely Teesta River erosion perplexes people in Lalmonirhat People living near the barrage and on the river’s banks said the water flow of the river increased due to heavy downpour and the onrush of upstream water for the last few days. All sluice gates were opened to control the water flow of the river, they said. They said several hundred families have already been stranded and low-lying areas of the left banks of the river inundated after the river swelled. Mominur Rahman, a resident from Mahiskhoca union under Gobordhan area, said they have to take boats to go to others' houses due to flood. Read: Flood situation improves in Bandarban Amsar Ali, who lives on the left river bank, said they are passing nights amid fear as the water is increasing in the river alarmingly. Asfa-Ud-Doula, executive engineer of Water Development Board at Teesta Barrage’s Dalia Zone, said the low-lying areas on the banks of the river were inundated and all gates of the Teesta Barrage were opened to control the flow of water. Read more: Flood situation in Ctg, Feni, Bandarban and Cox`s Bazar may improve in 24 hrs: FFWC

The Water Development Board (WDB) has issued a red alert in the Teesta Basin after the river swelled above danger level due to onrush of water from upstream. Teesta crossed 60 cm above danger level since Wednesday afternoon due to the onrush of hill water and heavy rainfall upstream in India. The authorities in Bangladesh have ordered an evacuation of the people living in villages along the river’s banks. Extreme panic is prevailing among the residents of Teesta bank due to the sudden rise of Teesta water. In addition, flood fuses on the north side of the Teesta Barrage are reported to be under threat of getting damaged. Due to the rise in Teesta, 15 villages of Purba Chhatnai, Tapa Kharibari, Khagakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagach Chapani and Gayabari Union of Dimla upazila of Nilphamari and six villages of sandbar of Jaldhaka upazila have been flooded. The residents of those areas have evacuated to safer places, said the people's representatives of those unions. Hundreds of hectares of crop land have been inundated. READ: Teesta flowing above danger level, 44 barrage gates opened Abdul Latif Khan, Purbachhatnai UP chairman of Dimla upazila in Nilphamari, said the right bank of the Teesta at Zero Point in the area and the Groen dam is under threat of getting damaged. Water is flowing especially over the Groen dam. If the Groen collapses, hundreds of houses in the area, including the dam on the right bank of the Teesta, will be washed away by the Teesta River. Tepakharibari UP chairman Moinul Haque said the Teesta Bazar, Telirbazar, Dolapara and Charkharibari areas have already been submerged. All crop lands in the sandbars are under water. In Lalmonirhat, the Barakhata to Hatibandha bypass road has collapsed at various places due to sudden rise in water level of Teesta river. As a result, thousands of families in this union have been marooned. Thousands of acres of crop land on the banks of Teesta in five upazilas of Lalmonirhat district have been submerged in water. Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Abu Jafar said he has instructed the union chairmen and UNOs to look over the flood situation in these areas. The Teesta river was flowing 52.70 cm above the danger level at Dalia point on Tuesday night while it was flowing 60 cm above the danger level around 10 am on Wednesday. This is due to the onrush of hill water and heavy rainfall, according to Board officials. READ: Teesta turns turbulent in Kurigram; leaves 100 families homeless The low-lying areas of Dahgram in Patgram upazila, Gaddimari, Singamari, Sinduna, Patikapara, Dauabari in Hatibandha upazila and Bhotmari, Soilmari, Nohli, Char Boirati in Kaliganj upazilas of Lalmonirhat district have been flooded, affecting some 10,000 families. Asfaudoula, executive engineer of the Water Development Board at Dalia point, said  “The Teesta water is flowing 60 cm above its danger mark and the authorities concerned have opened all the 44 gates of the barrage.” Besides, the residents along the river have been asked to take shelter in safer places issuing red alert.

The Water Development Board (WDB) opened all the 44 gates of Teesta Barrage on Friday to rein in the high water pressure, with the river flowing 35cm above the danger level. Around 11am on Friday, water flow in the barrage was recorded at 52.95 cm, said WDB officials. "Due to heavy rains, most of the gates of Gajal Doba barrage on the Indian side were opened, which increased the water level of the Teesta and adjoining small rivers," said Executive Engineer Mizanur Rahman. But the official said the water level may decrease by afternoon. Also read: Teesta turns turbulent in Kurigram; leaves 100 families homeless Flood-like situation triggered by the increased water level of the river is giving several residents of the district sleepless nights. The worst-hit are around 3,000 families in Angarpota-Dahagram of Patgram upazila, Gaddimari, Singimari, Sinduna, Patikapara, Dauabari union sandbar area, Mahishkhocha union of Aditmari upazila, Rajpur of Sadar upazila, Khuniagach, Gokunda union and the Sandbar area of Kaliganj upazila. Also read: Teesta flowing above danger level with India opening barrage gates These families have demanded speedy implementation of the Teesta mega project as this is the fourth time this year that they have been hit.

Water level of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat and surrounding areas  is flowing above the  danger level triggered by onrush of water from upstream. According to the source of the Flood Forecasting Warning Center of Water Development Board, “Water level at the  river  crossed the danger mark and is flowing 8 cm above its danger mark around 9am." The low-lying areas around the Teesta Barrage including Dahagram of Patgram Upazila, Gaddimari of Hatibandha Upazila, Singimari, Sinduna, Dauabari of Patikapara, Votmari of Kaliganj Upazila, Shailmari, Nohali, Charbairati, Choraha of Mahishkhocha Union of Aditmari Upazila, Rajpur of South Balapara and  Gokunda Union have been inundated as a result. Read: Teesta water flowing above danger level in Nilphamari Meanwhile, 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage on the Indian side have been kept open to control the flow of water. Abdullah Al Mamun, an executive of the Water Development Board confirmed the information to UNB.

Floods triggered by onrush of water from the upstream and heavy rains have inundated low-lying areas in different upazilas of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts, rendering several thousand people marooned.

Describing the government’s “Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100” as totally confusing, initiator of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) Dr Nazrul Islam on Sunday said the actual plan needs to be clarified to protect the country’s environment and save people’s lives.

As water started to recede, erosion on the left bank of the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat upazila has taken a serious turn.   Strong current is devouring houses and farmlands  as the water level of the river has been receding for the last two days.   Locals are passing days in panic.   Though, the Teesta water was flowing above the danger level for four days, the water level has started to recede from Monday and now flowing below the danger level.   The water level of the river at the Dalia Point of Hatibandha upazia has been marked 52.5cm which is 2cm lower than normal flow, said Rabiul Islam, executive engineer of Teesta Barrage Project of Dalia.   From Monday morning, the flood situation started to improve in the district.

Flood situation in Nilphamari and Kurigram deteriorated further on Sunday  as water levels of Teesta, Brahmaputra and Dharla rivers marked rise inundating fresh areas.

An untimely erosion in Teesta River in Gokunda Char area of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila devoured about six houses and arable land.