Dhaka, Sep 29 (V7N) — Continuous heavy rains in the northern parts of West Bengal and Sikkim since Friday have caused rivers, including the Teesta, to swell dangerously, raising concerns of floods in both India and Bangladesh.

The water level in the Teesta River surged significantly on Saturday, affecting areas from Duars, Kalimpong, and Kranti to the Bangladesh border. The release of water from the Ghazaldoba Barrage in Jalpaiguri has further exacerbated the situation, with around 6,000 cusecs of water released on Friday night, followed by over 4,700 cusecs the next day.

According to reports, the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre was not notified in advance about the sudden release of water. Sardar Uday Raihan, executive engineer of the centre, confirmed that Bangladesh had no official information about the release, which has raised concerns over preparedness on the Bangladesh side.

The West Bengal State Irrigation Department attributed the release of water to the incessant rainfall in Sikkim and Kalimpong. The Indian Meteorological Department reported 130 mm of rain in Kalimpong and 163 mm in Jalpaiguri over the last 24 hours, with warnings of more heavy rainfall in the region.

In response to the rising water levels, authorities in the Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts have issued a red alert and started evacuating residents from riverside areas. NDRF teams have been deployed, and local administration is using loudspeakers to warn residents in low-lying areas along the Teesta to seek safer ground.

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, the Teesta River's water level at the Dalia Point in Nilphamari was reported to be just five centimeters below the danger mark as of Saturday evening. The Water Development Board in Bangladesh has opened all 44 sluices of the Teesta Barrage to control the rising waters.

The Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has issued warnings of potential flooding in the Teesta basin over the next 24 hours, with particular risk to low-lying areas in the districts of Nilphamari, Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Lalmonirhat.

As the water level continues to rise, both Indian and Bangladeshi authorities are bracing for potential flooding in the coming days, with efforts underway to safeguard vulnerable populations.

END/MSS/AJ