Heavy rains raise flood risk as rivers may swell

Heavy rainfall in several parts of Bangladesh and neighbouring Indian states has increased the risk of short-term flooding in low-lying areas, with the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warning that water levels of several rivers may rise rapidly in the next 24 to 72 hours.

Although the country’s major rivers are currently flowing below danger levels, the FFWC said rivers in the Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur regions could see significant rises due to continued heavy rainfall.

According to a press release issued by FFWC Assistant Engineer Mostofa Kamal Jihan, very heavy rainfall was recorded in the Chattogram division over the past 24 hours, while heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred in Sylhet and Barishal divisions as well as India’s Meghalaya and Tripura regions.

The FFWC forecast said heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue over the next four days in Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions, along with adjoining Indian areas including Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

The water levels of the Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Selonia, Halda, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers may rise rapidly during this period, it added.

The agency warned that water levels in rivers around Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Chattogram and Khagrachhari could cross danger marks, causing temporary flooding in nearby low-lying areas.

Chattogram recorded the highest rainfall in the country in the last 24 hours, receiving 258 millimetres of rain. Other significant rainfall figures included 165mm in Narayanhat, 158mm in Teknaf, 129mm in Cox’s Bazar, 105mm in Ramgarh, and 102mm in Bandarban.

Heavy rainfall was also reported in India’s Meghalaya, including 153mm in Mawkyrwat, 141mm in R K M Sohra and 133mm in Cherrapunji, which could contribute to rising upstream river flows in Bangladesh.
Flood risk increases in northeast, northThe flood risk has also increased in northeastern districts. Within the next 24 to 72 hours, river levels in parts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh may cross danger levels, potentially creating temporary flooding in river-adjacent areas.

In the Rangpur division, the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may rise rapidly over the next three days. The Teesta River may cross the danger level within 24 to 48 hours, posing flood risks in low-lying areas of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat.

The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may reach warning levels in parts of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, creating temporary flood conditions.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system are expected to decline over the next three days before rising again, while the Ganges may remain stable initially and increase later. The Padma River’s water level is expected to continue declining over the next five days.

Experts call for stronger warning systems
Engineers and academics have stressed the need for technology-based flood forecasting and early warning systems to reduce damage to lives, livelihoods and agriculture.

Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), president of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh and chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, said farmers in Sylhet and Sunamganj frequently suffer heavy losses from flash floods, particularly during harvesting seasons.

He called for stronger forecasting systems and better preparedness to minimise the impact of recurring floods.