LALMONIRHAT: Low-lying areas in four upazilas of the frontier district were submerged by floodwaters amid incessant rain for the last few days and onrush of hill waters, leaving about 20,000 people virtually marooned.

Standing crops on a vast tract of land in Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Sadar upazilas were also inundated in the sudden flooding and fishes washed away by the gushing waters, local sources said.

People of different low-lying areas have taken shelter on different highlands and dams.

According to Lalmonirhat Water Development Board and District Administration sources, water levels of the Teesta and Dharala Rivers marked a sharp rise, fed by downpour and a surge of water from the hills across the border.

“The Teesta was flowing 25cm above the danger mark at Dalia point while the Dharala only 2cm bellow the red mark at Kulaghat point on Saturday morning,” said Lalmonirhat Executive Engineer MA Matin Sarkar.

He said the northern frontier district experiences flashflood when the water level of the River Teesta rises due mainly to onrush of hill waters during monsoon.  

BDST 1520 hrs June 19, 2010
Corr/RS/LY/MUA/