GovTwin / Institution

Kaunia (Rangpur)

Local Gov

An eastern Teesta-side upazila of Rangpur and a river-crossing and rail node, with farming and trade along the Teesta floodplain.

Wealth rank 355/452 (1 = poorest upazila)

Indicators: Meta RWI (HDX); ERA5-Land; MODIS; Sentinel-5P; VIIRS night-lights; GHSL; Hansen v1.11; CHIRPS v2.0. Exposure: GloFAS v2.1, FABDEM, MODIS LST, ACAG PM2.5, WorldPop 2020.

Problems and issues

climate disaster On the Teesta floodplain, Kaunia experiences recurrent monsoon flooding and riverbank erosion along the river's course. So what: Flooding and erosion damage cropland, homes and river-side infrastructure. Source: Bangladesh Water Development Board
agriculture Limited permanent surface water leaves dry-season irrigation for paddy and other crops dependent on groundwater. So what: Groundwater reliance raises irrigation costs and pressures the aquifer. Source: Barind Multipurpose Development Authority

Probable solutions

Strengthen Teesta riverbank protection and embankment maintenance and revive the long-pending Teesta river-management works to cut erosion and flood exposure Responsible: Bangladesh Water Development Board · Teesta river-management works
Expand surface-water harvesting, re-excavate canals and promote alternate wetting and drying and low-lift surface irrigation to reduce groundwater dependence Responsible: Barind Multipurpose Development Authority / Department of Agricultural Extension · policy proposal