Staff Reporter:
The flood situation in parts of the southeastern and northeastern regions may persist as water levels of several rivers have risen above danger levels following heavy rainfall, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
In its special flood bulletin issued on Thursday evening, the FFWC said six rivers at 10 monitoring stations in six districts were flowing above their respective danger levels.
In the southeastern region, the Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari in Chattogram was flowing 105cm and 16cm above the danger level respectively, while the Matamuhuri River at Lama in Bandarban and Chiringa in Cox’s Bazar was flowing 164cm and 77cm above the danger mark.
In the northeastern region, the Khowai River at Balla and Habiganj was flowing 192cm and 140cm above the danger level, while the Manu River at Manu Railway Bridge and Moulvibazar was flowing 73cm and 69cm above the danger mark.
The Dhalai River at Kamalganj in Habiganj was flowing 5cm above the danger level, while the Kushiyara River at Markuli in Sunamganj was flowing 15cm above the danger level.
The FFWC warned that the ongoing flood situation in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban due to the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers may continue for the next 24 to 48 hours.
The flood situation in Habiganj and Moulvibazar caused by the Khowai, Manu and Dhalai rivers may remain stable over the next 24 hours.
Heavy rainfall forecast
The FFWC said a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal has caused heavy rainfall in Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions and neighbouring Indian states including Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
During the last three days, Chattogram received 815mm of rainfall, Cox’s Bazar 330mm and Lama in Bandarban 518mm.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions and adjoining areas of India for the next two days.
The FFWC predicted that the southeastern region may receive up to 300-350mm rainfall in the next three days, while Chattogram, Feni, Lakshmipur and Noakhali may receive up to 250-300mm rainfall.
The northeastern districts including Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona and Sherpur and northern districts including Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram may receive 100-150mm rainfall during the period.
Flood risk areas
The FFWC identified nine districts as flood risk-prone areas over the next 24 to 72 hours.
In the southeast, Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar are affected by the Sangu and Matamuhuri river basins, while Feni is at risk due to the Feni, Muhuri and Selonia rivers.
In the northeast, Habiganj, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj are facing risks from the Khowai, Manu, Dhalai and Kushiyara rivers.
The agency warned that river water levels in Sylhet and Sunamganj may rise further, causing short-duration flooding in low-lying areas.
In the northern region, the Teesta River may cross the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, creating temporary flooding risks in low-lying areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur.
The FFWC also warned that the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may rise to warning levels in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts within the next 72 hours.
