As the floodwaters in northern Bangladesh gradually recede, the focus now shifts to the critical need for sustained relief operations to support the affected communities.

Water levels in major rivers, including the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar, have started to fall, offering hope to the flood-ravaged districts. However, despite the improvement in the flood situation, the widespread damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure continues to leave thousands in urgent need of aid.

According to bulletin from the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), water levels of the major rivers, including Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar were going down, signalling an improvement in the flood situation across the region.

 Sardar Uday Rayhan, executive engineer at the FFWC, confirmed that the water levels at the Teesta’s Kaunia point, which had been flowing above the danger level on Sunday, dropped below the danger mark at both the Dalia and Kaunia points on Monday.

In the Rangpur division, the Teesta and Dudhkumar were receding, while the Dharla remained stable and  started flowing below the danger level.

This trend is expected to continue over the next three days, according to FFWC, offering hope for the affected people.

With the reduction in heavy rainfall in the Rangpur division and adjoining uplands, the water levels in these rivers are expected to drop further. This could restore normalcy in the grasslands and low-lying areas along the Teesta in the Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha districts.

“We are seeing a positive trend, with water levels in major rivers beginning to decrease. This should lead to an improvement in the flood conditions in the northern districts within the next three days,” Sardar Uday said.

According to FFWC’s bulletin, rivers such as the Teesta and Dudhkumar, which had previously risen due to heavy rainfall in upstream regions, started returning to normalcy. Meanwhile, the water level of the Dharla remained steady below the danger line, alleviating concerns about further flooding.

The northern region of Bangladesh, particularly Rangpur division, has been grappling with floods caused by continuous rainfall both locally and upstream in India, leading to swollen rivers and widespread flooding.The latest FFWC’s forecast brought optimism for residents, many of whom have temporarily been displaced, with their homes and crops submerged. 

Meanwhile, relief operations have been ongoing, with local administrations and many other voluntary organisations providing food, clean water, and emergency shelter to the flood-affected populations.

Other rivers in the Rangpur division, including the Upper Atrai, Punarbhaba, Upper Karatoa, Tangon, and Jamuneshwari, were also experiencing declining water levels.

While the River Ghaghat was rising, it still did not cross the danger level. 

In the Rajshahi division, although the downstream Padma was rising, it did not flow above the danger limit. At the same time, the River Ganges was receding.

The water level of the Ganges is expected to fall slowly over the next two days, while the Padma could rise.

The water levels of the rivers such as Atrai, Bangali, Karotaya, and Little Jamuna in the Rajshahi division were increasing till Monday.

These rivers are expected to experience a slow rise over the next 24 hours, followed by a decrease over the subsequent two days.

In the Sylhet division, the water levels of the Surma and Kushiara were rising but they were still flowing below the danger limit.

Other rivers in the Sylhet division, such as the Manu, Bhugai, Someswari, and Dhalai saw a decline in their water levels, while the Khoai and Jadukata rivers remained stable.

The water levels of the Sarigoine and Kangs rivers were rising but remained below the danger level. These rivers might experience stable conditions for the next day, with potential increases over the following two days.

However, they are expected to continue flowing below the danger level.

Flood situation improves in Kurigram

The flood situation in the district’s low-lying areas improved significantly with fall in water level in the River Teesta after decrease in rainfall and upstream waters.

Kurigram Water Development Board officials said the water levels of all rivers flowing through the district, including the Teesta, Dharala, and Dudhkumar, were below the danger mark till Monday.

Although the floodwaters receded in the low-lying areas and char regions of the river basin, hundreds of hectares of Aman paddy fields remained submerged.

Farmers said they have to suffer severe losses due to the unexpected flooding, which inundated their Aman crops.

Rangpur sees improvement

With no fresh heavy rainfall, the flood situation in three upazilas of Rangpur district improved slightly on Monday.

According to the control room of the district’s Water Development Board, on Monday the water levels of the Teesta at the Teesta Barrage point was flowing 45 centimetres below the danger level.

Meanwhile, in Kaunia point, the water was flowing 10 centimetres below the danger level. Water was receding from the char areas as well.

Rivers stable in Nilphamari

In this district, sudden floods affected vast areas along the River Teesta due to heavy rainfall in the past few days.

However, the water level of this river started flowing below the danger level from Monday.

According to the Water Development Board, the water level of the Teesta decreased between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Monday.

“Some 44 water gates of the Teesta Barrage have been kept open to control the water flow. Currently, the water level is 7cm below the danger mark,” it stated.