North Bengal Correspondent: In northern Sikkim, the Tista River dam has been opened due to an increase in water levels in Chungthang Lake caused by heavy rainfall in the region.
As a result, water levels are rapidly rising in the Indian territory, and there are concerns about flooding in several districts.
In the neighboring country of Bangladesh, the rising Tista River water has also raised fears of flooding in the Dholahar region.
The areas along the Tista River in the northern districts of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha are at risk, according to the Water Development Board (Paubo).
On Wednesday, October 4th, at 3 PM, the highest recorded water level in the Tista barrage’s Dalia Point reached 52 meters and 8 centimeters. This means that water is flowing downstream from Vipatsima at a height of 7 centimeters above the critical level of 52 meters 15 centimeters.
Just two hours earlier, at 2 PM, the same point recorded a water level of 51 meters and 90 centimeters, indicating a rapid increase in the water flow within that hour.
Indian news sources report that the Chungthang Lake’s water levels have risen significantly due to widespread rainfall in the Tista River’s source region. Efforts to contain the water in the lake proved unsuccessful, leading to a rise in water levels in the Vhati River in the Indian territory by 15 to 20 feet.
According to India’s Central Water Commission, at Gazaldoba Point, the Tista River’s water level has risen by approximately 285 centimeters in the past midnight due to consistent rainfall in the Tista’s source area. The water level at Domuhuni Point increased by 82 centimeters on Wednesday morning and remains unchanged.
Paubo reports that the Tista River’s water at the Dalia Point has been rapidly increasing. It could potentially surpass Vipatsima and flow over the critical level of 50 centimeters during the night, which may lead to water spilling over Vipatsima and reaching Kanuya Point in Rangpur early Thursday.
As per Asfauddaula, the Executive Engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, there is a short-term flood risk in the Tista floodplain. Lower-lying areas could be affected.
The Disaster Preparedness and Warning Center has also warned that according to the Indian Meteorological Department’s information, there is a forecast of heavy rainfall in India’s Sikkim region in the next 48 hours.