Flood fears in five Rangpur districts within 3 days

Short-term floods may occur in five districts of Rangpur division within the next three days, the Bangladesh Water Development Board's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has said. Water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma rivers may also rise for the next five days.

According to a forecast on Friday, July 17, signed by engineer Mostafa Kamal Jihan, the Teesta, Dharla and Dhudhkumar rivers may rise and exceed danger levels at some points. This could cause short-term floods in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram.

Water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma rivers have already risen in the past 24 hours and may continue for the next five days. This could cause rivers to reach warning levels in parts of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur and Bogura, threatening low-lying areas.

While the Surma river is falling, the Kushiyara has risen, and both may rise again in the next three days. The existing flood situation in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj may remain stable for the next 24 hours.

The Fenny, Muhuri, Gomati and Selonia rivers may rise for another day before stabilising.

Currently, water is flowing above danger levels at two points: Fenchuganj in Sylhet on the Kushiyara river, and Markuli in Sunamganj.

A well-marked low-pressure area over the north-west Bay of Bengal has weakened but is now located over north Odisha and adjoining Bihar and West Bengal, influencing the rising river levels.

The centre has urged residents in low-lying areas to remain alert and follow local administration directives.