Staff Reporter :
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned of possible short-term flooding in several regions as major rivers in Sylhet, Rangpur, and Chattogram divisions continue to swell due to heavy rainfall in Bangladesh and neighbouring India.
Meanwhile, all the 44 sluice gates of Teesta Barrage have been kept open as water was flowing 3cm above danger mark.
Local people apprehended that the villages in the low-lying areas may go under water at any time if water continues to surge on Teesta.
“We have kept all the sluice gates open as water was flowing 3cm above danger mark since morning,” Executive Engineer of Dalia Division Amitav Chowdhury told the media.
On the other hand, The Kushiyara River at Amalshid point in Sylhet is flowing 25 cm above the danger level. Both the Surma and Kushiyara rivers have been rising over the past 24 hours and are expected to remain above danger levels for the next three days.
Low-lying areas in Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Moulvibazar may experience fresh flooding. Smaller rivers, including Sarigowain, Jadukata, Someswari, Bhugai, Kangsha, and Jinjiram, are also rising and may approach warning levels, posing risks for Sylhet, Mymensingh, Netrokona, and Sherpur.
Water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers are increasing. Forecasts suggest the Teesta and Dudhkumar may cross the danger level, while the Dharla could flow near the warning mark.
As a result, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram districts face potential inundation in their low-lying areas.
Rivers such as the Gomti, Muhuri, Selonia, Sangu, and Feni have seen water levels rise in the last 24 hours.
The Muhuri, Selonia, Feni, and Halda rivers may flow near warning levels, leading to temporary flooding in parts of Feni and Chattogram over the next two days. However, levels are expected to stabilize by the third day.
The Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are on the rise and may continue to swell for the next five days, though they are likely to stay below the danger level.
The Ganges has risen and is expected to rise for another two days before stabilizing, while the Padma is forecast to keep rising over the next five days. Both rivers are projected to remain below danger levels.
In Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, rivers including the Upper Atrai, Upper Korotoa, Punarbhaba, Ghaghot, Tangon, Mahananda, Korotoa, Atrai, and Jamuneswari have risen and are likely to remain high for the next two days.
In Sylhet, the Khowai has risen, while the Manu and Dhalai rivers have fallen; these are expected to stay steady in the coming three days.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh divisions, as well as in India’s Meghalaya, Assam, and Mizoram.
Over the next 48 hours, scattered heavy rainfall is expected in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions of Bangladesh and adjoining Indian states, which could worsen river conditions.
