Bangladesh, June 22 -- The water level of the Teesta River is rising in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur, with the river flowing close to the danger mark over the past several days.

The increased flow has caused erosion at the Mahipur bridge protection embankment, raising concerns among people living along the Teesta riverbank.

Last year, nearly 150 feet of the bridge protection embankment was washed away by the river. At that time, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) constructed bamboo piling at a cost of Tk 1.4 million to protect the embankment.

However, the measure has proved ineffective, as the piling was damaged by the strong current following the recent rise in water levels.

All 44 gates of the Dalia Barrage were op...