Holidays of BWDB staff in 5 districts cancelled

The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has decided to cancel the holidays of staff of five Northern districts where a flood situation may soon arise.

Holidays of all officials and staff of BWDB Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha were cancelled, according to a media release issued Wednesday night. They were also directed not to leave their duty stations.

India's Sikkim state's Lhonak Lake breached its embankment on Tuesday night after a cloudburst. It led to an alarming rise in water in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley. The flood worsened after water was released from the damaged Chungthang Dam into the river.

As a result of the sudden rise in water level, the low-lying areas in some Northern districts may become inundated. The water level in Teesta River may flow as much as 50cm above the danger mark.

District authorities of 12 upazilas of the five aforementioned districts were spreading awareness about the possible risk of flood and also calling for them to move to safer locations.

/KN/