The river is swelling as India opened all the gates of Gojaldoba barrage in the upstream to release the "excess water" from heavy rainfall in its territories, Water Development Board (WDB) officials said yesterday.

India did not exchange any information on release of Teesta waters with Bangladesh officials at Dalia, they said.

According to WDB control room in Rangpur, the water level of Teesta was 52.15 metres at Teesta Barrage point Friday evening. The danger mark at the barrage point is 52.25 metres, they said.

With the rise of Teesta, its tributaries on Nilphamari including Charal Kanta, Deunai, Buri Teesta, Buri Khora, Jamuneswari and Panga have also swelled, inundating newly transplanted Amon and vegetable fields.

The heavy current of water has made an embankment point of Teesta vulnerable at Bhavan Chur and Gopal Jhar points in Jaldhaka upazila, the WDB officials said.

If the embankment is damaged, more areas in Jaldhaka and Dimla upazilas will go under water.

The marooned people are in Purba Kharibari, Char Khari Bari, Kisamot Chhatnai, Doholpara, Baishpukur, Bahsanir Char, Fakrater Char, Jharsingerswar and Vendabari villages in Dimla upazila and Bahavan Chur and Gopaljhar in Jaldhaka upazila.

Most of the houses in these areas have gone under two to four feet water. The people there are suffering for food, fodder and drinking water.

About 200 families have shifted to safer places in nearby schools and madrasas, administration officials said.

WDB officials at Dalia said they are monitoring the Teesta. WDB Executive Engineer Atiquar Rahman trold newsmen yesterday that the situation is still under control.

Dimla Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mezbahurl Haque after a visit to the flood affected areas said all possible steps would be taken to help the affected people.