Lalmonirhat, Feb. 16 -- The water level in the Teesta River at Dalia Barrage point in Lalmonirhat has suddenly risen, submerging recently emerged shoals.

This has forced the Water Development Board to open four sluice gates of the barrage, leaving farmers concerned over possible damages of their crops on the shoals.

The flow of water at the barrage point started increasing after 4pm on Saturday.

It was recorded at 50.10 cm at 6pm which is about 4 cm above the normal winter level in the dry season.

The water flow increased at a time when locals earlier announced to observe a 48-hour sit-in protest on the riverbanks from February 17 to 18, demanding a fair distribution of water from the river also shared by India.

Farmers expressed the...