Flood likely in four northern districts

Staff Reporter :

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has issued a flood alert for four northern districts — Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Rangpur — as heavy rainfall continues to raise river water levels in the region.

Over the next two days, according to FFWC, heavy rainfall is expected in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and adjoining Indian areas in West Bengal.

From August 4 to 7, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, along with upstream Indian states such as Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura, are likely to experience heavy rain, which could further affect river conditions across the country.

Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone and low-lying regions, particularly in the north and northeast, to stay alert and prepare for possible flooding.

Local administrations and disaster response units are closely monitoring the situation and will respond accordingly if water levels breach critical thresholds.

According to FFWC, the Teesta River, in particular, is expected to cross the danger level within the next two days, potentially flooding low-lying areas in the vicinity.

While all major rivers across Bangladesh are currently flowing below danger levels, recent rainfall patterns and upstream flows are contributing to a rapid rise in water levels, especially in the northern and northeastern parts of the country. Over the last 24 hours, moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded in Dhaka and Rangpur divisions, with even heavier downpours in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions.

Upstream areas in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh in India have also seen significant rainfall, further contributing to rising river levels downstream in Bangladesh.

According to FFWC, water levels of Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar Rivers have risen significantly in the Rangpur division. The Teesta may cross the danger level within two days, while the Dharla and Dudhkumar may reach warning levels.

As a result, flooding is likely in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, and Rangpur, with temporary inundation also possible in Gaibandha, FFWC warns.

In Sylhet and Mymensingh Divisions, rivers such as the Sarigoyain, Someshwari, Jinjiram, Bhugai, and Kongsho have seen rising water levels, with further increases expected over the next three days.

Warning-level flows could cause temporary flooding in low-lying areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Sherpur, Netrokona, and Mymensingh.

Manu, Dhalai, and Khowai Rivers: After decreasing in the last 24 hours, these rivers are expected to remain stable for a day and begin rising again afterward.

Meanwhile, Surma and Kushiyara Rivers have also experienced a rise and are projected to continue swelling over the next three days.

Water levels of the Mahananda, Karatoa, Upper Atrai, Jamuneswari, Punarbhaba, Ghaghot, and Tangon have increased and will likely continue for two days before stabilizing in Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisions.

The Feni, Muhuri, Selonia, and Rahmatkhali Canal rivers have risen and are expected to continue doing so for three more days, although the Gomti has dropped and the Noakhali Canal remains steady in Chattogram Division.

Meanwhile, the Ganges and Padma rivers are rising and will likely continue to rise for the next five days, but are expected to stay below danger levels.

Similarly, the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are also increasing but are forecasted to remain below danger levels throughout the next five days.