Short-term flooding feared in low-lying areas of 7 districts

Low-lying riverside areas in seven districts, including Sylhet, could experience short-term flooding within the next 72 hours as water levels continue to rise in several rivers across northeastern and northern Bangladesh, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board has warned.

According to the centre's regular bulletin published on Saturday, June 27, the water level of the Kushiyara River at the Fenchuganj point in Sylhet is flowing 1 centimetre above the danger level. As a result, temporary flooding may occur in low-lying riverside areas of the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.

The bulletin also said the Teesta River at the Dalia point in Nilphamari, the Surma River at the Markuli point in Sunamganj, the Kushiyara River in Moulvibazar, and the Someshwari River at the Kalmakanda point in Netrokona are flowing at warning levels.

Over the past 24 hours, water levels in the Teesta and Dharla rivers in the Rangpur division remained stable, while the Dudhkumar River receded slightly. However, the centre warned that water levels in these rivers could rise again over the next three days, increasing the risk of short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur and Gaibandha districts.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded across the Sylhet division during the past 24 hours. Heavy rainfall was also reported in the neighbouring Indian states of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.

According to weather forecasts, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over the next five days in the Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, as well as in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya. This could cause river levels to rise further.

The centre also reported that water levels in the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers have increased over the past 24 hours, a trend that is expected to continue for the next five days.

As a result, between June 30 and July 2, the Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers may flow at warning levels at several points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj and Tangail districts, raising the possibility of flooding in some low-lying riverside areas.

Meanwhile, water levels in the Kushiyara River in the northeast have continued to rise. Although the Surma River has receded slightly, it is expected to rise again over the next three days. During the same period, water levels in the Khowai and Someshwari rivers in the Sylhet and Mymensingh regions have increased.

In contrast, water levels in the Manu and Dhalai rivers have fallen, while the Sarigoyain and Jadukata rivers have remained stable.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre also warned that the Someshwari River may exceed warning levels at several points in Netrokona within the next few days, potentially causing temporary inundation in some adjacent low-lying areas.