Persistent rain threatens fresh flooding in several districts

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast four consecutive days of rainfall across much of the country, with heavy to very heavy downpours likely in Chattogram and Barishal divisions, raising concerns over a further deterioration of flood conditions in several districts.

According to the latest forecast, rain or thundershowers are expected to continue across most parts of the country through Sunday, while temperatures may remain slightly lower during the period.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warned that persistent rainfall could worsen flooding in low-lying areas of Sylhet, Sunamganj and Naogaon, while increasing the risk of fresh inundation in vulnerable river basins.

The FFWC said the Kushiyara River was flowing 35 centimetres above the danger level at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and 2 centimetres above the danger level at Markuli in Sunamganj. The Someshwari River at Kalmakanda in Netrokona was also 5 centimetres above the danger mark, although water in the Surma River at Chhatak has receded below the danger level.

The centre warned that continued heavy rainfall in Chattogram and Barishal divisions could cause water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers to rise further over the next two days, increasing the likelihood of short-term flooding in parts of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

It also cautioned that rising water in the Atrai River could trigger flooding in low-lying areas of Naogaon, while the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram may approach warning levels, posing a risk of temporary inundation.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Jamuna and Ganges-Padma rivers are continuing to rise. The FFWC said parts of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj and Tangail along the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin could see rivers reach warning levels within the next two days.

Although water levels in the Teesta and Dudhkumar rivers have fallen slightly, low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram remain vulnerable to temporary flooding. The FFWC, however, expects the ongoing flood situation in Netrokona to improve gradually.