Flooding hits low-lying areas of Moulvibazar, Netrokona, three more districts at risk

Flooding has inundated low-lying areas of Moulvibazar and Netrokona amid persistent heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff, with Sylhet, Habiganj and Sunamganj now at heightened risk.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warned that the situation could deteriorate further in the coming days if rainfall continues, raising the likelihood of fresh inundation in new areas.

Data from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) show that water levels in at least four rivers in the northeast are flowing above danger levels. The Someswari River at Kalmakanda point in Netrokona is running 50 cm above the danger mark, while the Kangsha River at Jariajanjail point is 82 cm above.

In Moulvibazar, the Manu River is flowing 72 cm above the danger level, and the Magra River in Netrokona has crossed the danger mark by 2 cm. Several other rivers in the region are nearing critical levels, intensifying concerns.

Authorities also noted that rivers including the Khowai, Sutang and Juri are close to their danger thresholds, posing renewed flooding risks for adjacent low-lying areas.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast moderate to very heavy rainfall in the haor region of the northeast over the next few days, which could trigger a rapid rise in water levels in the Surma–Kushiyara, Manu–Khowai and Dhan–Baulai river basins.

FFWC officials said additional areas could be submerged within the next 24 to 72 hours if rainfall persists.

However, they added that water levels are expected to gradually recede once precipitation decreases.