Eight districts face short-term flood risk

Fresh concerns of flash or short-term flooding have emerged in eight districts of Bangladesh due to rainfall and upstream inflows.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) issued the forecast on Sunday.

According to weather agencies, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days in Rangpur and Sylhet divisions and the adjoining upstream Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.

The FFWC said that although the water levels of the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in the northern Rangpur division remained stable over the last 24 hours, they may rise over the next three days. 

During the next 24 to 48 hours, these rivers may exceed the danger level at some locations, resulting in flash or short-duration flooding in adjacent low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram districts.

According to the FFWC, over the last 24 hours, the water level of the Surma River in the northeastern region increased, while the Kushiyara River remained stable. The water levels of these rivers may increase over the next three days. 

Over the next 48 hours, these rivers may exceed the danger level at some locations, resulting in short-term flooding or persistent flooding in low-lying areas adjacent to the rivers in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, the forecast said.

Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, the water level of the Brahmaputra River has remained stable, while the Jamuna River has increased. This trend may continue to rise in the next five days. 

From 20 to 24 July, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system may reach the warning level at some locations in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj, and Tangail districts, and adjacent low-lying areas may be inundated at some places.

The FFWC said the water levels of the Sarigowain, Jadukata, and Kangsa rivers in the northeastern Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions remained stable in the past 24 hours, while the Someshwari and Bhugai rivers have risen. The water levels of these rivers may increase over the next three days. 

During the next 24 to 72 hours, the Someshwari River in Netrokona district may cross the danger level at some locations, causing short-term flooding in adjacent low-lying areas, the forecast added.