Heavy rain, rising rivers put country on flood alert

The flood threat facing Bangladesh this week is being shaped as much by upstream water flow and local rainfall, with major rivers in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Meghna basins rising toward warning levels and low-lying communities in several districts bracing for possible inundation.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning, at many places across the country.

Day temperatures may rise slightly, while night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged across the country.

Moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected mainly over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions during the period. Day temperatures may fall by 1–3
degrees Celsius on 5 July before remaining nearly unchanged in the following days.

Bangladesh may witness flooding in the Brahmaputra and Meghna river basins in July and August this year due to heavy precipitation in their upper catchment areas, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.

During the historic 1988 flood, extreme monsoon downpours peaking between August and September inundated roughly 82,000 square kilometres, nearly 60% of the country’s landmass.

Similarly, the historic 1998 flood lasted more than two months across July and August, claiming over 1,000 lives and leaving around 30 million people temporarily displaced or stranded.

According to a flood forecast issued by the FFWC on Thursday, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers may flow at warning level in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur and Bogura districts between 4 and 7 July. Adjacent low-lying areas may be inundated at some places.

Water levels of the Ganges-Padma rivers are likely to continue rising over the next five days, although they are expected to remain below danger level.

During the next 72 hours, the Surma-Kushiyara rivers in the Upper Meghna basin may continue to flow at warning level in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, while adjacent low-lying areas may remain inundated at some places, the forecast said.

Water levels of the Teesta River at Dalia in Nilphamari and Tarapur in Lalmonirhat, the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and Markuli in Sunamganj, and the Someshwari River at Kolmakanda in Netrokona are at their respective warning levels.

District-level flood situation
Several northern and northeastern districts are facing the risk of fresh flooding as major rivers continue to swell due to heavy rainfall and upstream water flow, according to the FFWC.

In the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur and Bogura are at risk, with the rivers likely to flow at warning level between 4 and 7 July. Low-lying char and riverbank areas in these districts may be inundated at some places.

In the northeastern region, Sylhet and Sunamganj may continue to see low-lying areas affected as the Surma-Kushiyara rivers remain at warning level over the next 72 hours.

Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari are also under close watch as the Teesta River at Dalia and Tarapur points is flowing at warning level. Localised flooding may affect riverside communities if rainfall and upstream flow continue.

In Netrokona, low-lying areas near the Someshwari River at Kolmakanda may remain vulnerable as the river is also at warning level.

Although no consolidated nationwide figure of affected people was immediately available, FFWC forecasts indicate that low-lying areas in at least nine districts remain vulnerable to flooding.

Speaking to The New Nation, Mahabubur Rahman, public relations officer of the Department of Disaster Management, said all districts have adequate relief supplies to support people affected by disasters.

“The government has ensured sufficient relief materials in all districts so that people can receive assistance whenever natural disasters occur,” he said.

He said the preparation would allow the authorities to respond quickly and support affected communities without unnecessary delay.

Mahabubur said relief assistance had recently been provided to flood-affected people in Lalmonirhat.
“The assistance was distributed to help those who have been suffering because of the flood situation.

It included essential items to support affected families during this difficult time,” he said.

He added that the government was monitoring the situation and working closely with local administrations to ensure relief reaches affected people quickly.

“We are ready to provide support whenever disasters affect communities, ensuring that adequate relief is available across Bangladesh for those who need it,” Mahabubur said.