Flash flood risk looms over three divisions as rivers swell: BWDB

Bangladesh's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that short-term flooding could affect low-lying areas across Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions over the next 24 to 48 hours, driven by upstream runoff and heavy rainfall.

According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), rising water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers could inundate riverside areas in Sylhet and Sunamganj within the next two days.

In northern Bangladesh, the Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers are also expected to rise, with water levels likely to exceed danger marks at several monitoring stations. Low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha could face flooding.

Meanwhile, increasing flows in the Someshwari, Bhugai and Kangsha rivers may trigger flooding in parts of Sherpur, Mymensingh and Netrokona within the next 24 hours.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Teesta River at the Dalia monitoring station in Nilphamari rose 13 centimetres above the danger level before receding later in the day. However, the falling water exposed severe riverbank erosion, damaging cropland and causing cracks and collapses along embankments.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by gusty winds, across all eight divisions over the next five days, with isolated heavy downpours likely to aggravate the flood situation.