Water levels in the Teesta River continued to rise on Sunday due to heavy upstream flow from India, causing anxiety among residents along the riverbanks in Lalmonirhat. At noon, the river was flowing 15 centimeters below the danger level at the Teesta Barrage point, and authorities warned that it could cross the threshold at any time. To manage the situation, 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened, and officials are monitoring the water flow continuously.

According to the Water Development Board, both the Teesta and Dharla rivers are still below danger levels, but preparations are in place for any emergency. The control room reported that within the next 72 hours, Teesta’s water might flow above the danger mark, potentially causing short-term flooding in low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall in India’s Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts has worsened the situation, even though there has been little rain in Bangladesh’s Teesta basin.

Earlier, the Water Resources Minister had assured that the Teesta Master Plan was progressing toward implementation, but the current water rise has renewed public concern in the region.