Heavy rain likely for 48 hours in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions over the next 48 hours due to continuous thundercloud formations across the country.

The affected divisions include Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet.

Maritime ports at Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number three.

All fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been instructed to stay close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Meteorologist Md Shahinul Islam said that until Thursday evening, widespread light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds are expected over Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet, with isolated showers likely in Rangpur and Chattogram.

He added that Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet may experience moderate to heavy rainfall, with occasional extremely heavy downpours. Day and night temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged.

Strong winds of up to 60 km/h are likely across nine regions, prompting the issuance of a number-one warning signal for river ports. Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque said areas including Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet may experience intermittent gusts of 45–60 km/h along with rain and thunderstorms.

The persistent rainfall, combined with upstream hill torrents from India, has caused river levels in Sylhet to rise, affecting Boro paddy fields in Sylhet and Sunamganj.

While no river has yet crossed its pre-monsoon danger level, authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

According to the Water Development Board (WDB), hourly water levels are rising at 10 out of 11 key points along six hilly rivers in Sylhet, including Surma, Kushiyara, Piyain, Sarighat, Lovachhara, and Dhala.

Executive Engineer Dipak Ranjan Das confirmed that continued upstream rainfall may further increase river flow.

In the past 24 hours, Sylhet recorded 28.4 mm of rainfall, while little precipitation was recorded overnight, offering temporary relief to farmers. Sunshine on Thursday allowed farmers to dry and thresh harvested paddy.

Local resident Md Iqbal of Ibrahimpur in Sunamganj expressed concern over delays in harvesting due to rising river water levels.

The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that around 20,000 hectares of Boro paddy in Sylhet have been submerged, including 13,487 hectares in Sunamganj, with marginal farmers being the worst affected.

Dr Md Mosharrof Hossain, Additional Director of Agricultural Extension in Sylhet, stressed the importance of timely harvesting to reduce crop losses, warning that further water rise could worsen the damage.

Authorities continue to monitor river conditions and have advised caution, although no immediate flood risk has been reported.

Meanwhile, in Nasirnagar of Brahmanbaria, heavy rainfall and upstream floods have submerged nearly 80 hectares of paddy fields in the haor area, leaving farmers in distress.

In many fields, water levels are too high for harvesting, yet farmers are seen wading through waist-deep water in an attempt to save their crops. Labor shortages are further complicating the situation.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, 11,000 hectares of paddy were cultivated in the Nasirnagar haor area during the current Boro season, with about 60 percent already harvested.

The remaining 40 percent includes BRRI varieties BR-29, BR-100, BR-92, BR-102, BR-108, and BR-58, which are yet to be harvested.

Farmers, who had expected a good yield this season, are now facing losses due to continuous rainfall and flooding.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has warned that the flood situation in the northeastern region may worsen over the next seven days.

According to forecasts valid until May 7, heavy to very heavy rainfall since April 27 has caused the rivers Bhugai-Kangsha, Someshwari, Mogra, and Sutang in the northeastern haor areas to flow above pre-monsoon danger levels.

As a result, flood conditions continue in low-lying areas adjacent to the haor regions in Netrokona and Habiganj districts.