LALMONIRHAT: Flashfloods triggered by incessant rain for the last three days and onrush of hill waters flooded 40 villages in four upazilas of the northern frontier district, leaving about 15,000 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.

“People of different low-lying areas are taking shelter on different highlands and dams, deserting their sunken homes,” says a firsthand report.

Water levels of the Teesta and Dharala rivers marked a sharp rise, fed by downpour and a deluge of waters from the hills across the border.

Lalmonirhat Water Development Board officials, however, said all the rivers in the district were flowing well below their respective dangers levels.

BDST: 1500 Hrs, June 5,2010
SDR/PB/LY/MUA