Jalpaiguri, Sept. 4 -- A survey by the Irrigation Department has revealed the alarming condition of rivers, including the Teesta and Jaldhaka in North Bengal, where heavy silt and sand accumulation has reduced their water-carrying capacity. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has written to the administrations of five North Bengal districts seeking information on 24 rivers and a review of existing water-level benchmarks.

In the unprotected Teesta stretch between Domohani in Jalpaiguri and the Bangladesh border near Mekhliganj, a yellow alert is issued at 85.65 metres and a red alert at 85.95 metres. In protected areas, the red-alert level is 86.30 metres. Near Sevoke, the yellow- and red-alert levels are 150 metres and 153 metres respectively.

Officials say the Teesta now reaches these levels after comparatively smaller rises in water discharge than a decade ago. A similar trend has been observed in the Jaldhaka.

Near the Teesta Bridge, large mounds of sand have accumulated around concrete pillars supporting Power Grid Corporation's high-tension transmission lines.

"It is true that there has been no review of the benchmarks used to measure river water levels over the past 25 years. If the CWC and the administration seek our assistance, we will extend our cooperation," said Krishnendu Bhowmik, Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department's North-Eastern Division.

He said dredging would be carried out in several North Bengal rivers after the monsoon to restore their depth and water-carrying capacity.

The situation worsened after the 2023 glacial lake outburst flood in Sikkim, which deposited heavy silt in the Teesta. Several rivers in the plains and along the Bhutan border have also become shallower, increasing flash-flood risks even after relatively light rainfall.

A flash flood in the Mal River in Malbazar during Durga idol immersion in 2022 killed eight people. In 2025, a sudden surge from the Bhutan hills killed 11 people in Bamandanga Model Village in Nagrakata.

The Irrigation Department currently receives rainfall and river-level data from Bhutan through four rain gauges. Bhowmik said the department has requested 38 additional stations along the Bhutan border to improve monitoring and provide early warning of sudden water surges and flash floods.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.