Due to continuous rainfall and heavy rain in the upstream regions of Meghalaya, Assam, and West Bengal in India, at least 12 districts in the northern, northeastern, and north-central parts of Bangladesh are at risk of short-term flooding within the next 24 to 72 hours.
This information was released on Wednesday (August 5) in forecasts issued by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). According to the forecast, water levels in several major rivers are expected to rise rapidly during this period, increasing the likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas along the riverbanks.
The FFWC said that water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Surma, and Kushiyara rivers may continue to rise over the next two to three days. Some of these rivers may approach or exceed their danger levels. As a result, there is a risk of short-term flooding in the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Mymensingh, and surrounding districts.
According to the FFWC, the low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha in the Teesta basin are at the highest risk. Heavy rainfall in the upstream regions has caused the Teesta and its tributaries to rise rapidly. At the same time, water levels in the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are also increasing, which may lead to flooding in the river islands ("chars") and riverbank areas of Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.
Sources at the Dalia Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said that at 6:00 p.m. today, the water level at the Dalia Point of the Teesta Barrage Irrigation Project in Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat, was 52.13 meters, which is 2 centimeters below the danger level (normal danger level: 52.15 meters). Earlier in the day, at 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., the water had been flowing 13 centimeters above the danger level. It gradually receded afterward, falling 8 centimeters below the danger level at 11:00 a.m., 6 centimeters below at noon, 2 centimeters below at 2:00 p.m., and returning to the normal level by 4:00 p.m. To reduce pressure on the Teesta Barrage, all 44 sluice gates have been kept open. Meanwhile, at 6:00 p.m., the Teesta River at Dalia Point in Nilphamari was flowing 2 centimeters below the danger level.
Water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in the Sylhet Division are also rising. Continued heavy rainfall in India's Meghalaya and Assam is expected to cause fresh inundation in the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj over the next few days. The FFWC warned that riverside settlements, haor (wetland) areas, and rural roads are at risk of being submerged.
Flood risk is also increasing in the north-central region. Rising water levels in the Someshwari, Bhogai, Kangsha, and Old Brahmaputra river basins may cause flooding in the low-lying areas of Netrokona, Sherpur, and Mymensingh during this period. The FFWC noted that flash floods are particularly likely in border areas due to runoff from the surrounding hills.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said that the monsoon is currently active over Bangladesh. As a result, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected over the northern, northeastern, and southeastern parts of the country over the next few days. Heavy rainfall is also forecast in the upstream regions of India, which could cause river levels to rise further and worsen the flood situation.
However, the FFWC emphasized that this is currently a forecast for short-term flooding. If rainfall decreases, water levels in most rivers are expected to recede gradually. However, if heavy rainfall continues uninterrupted, there is a risk that the flooding could become prolonged.
Meanwhile, local authorities have been instructed to remain prepared for the possible flooding. District administrations, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, and disaster management agencies have been directed to continuously monitor river water levels and weather conditions while taking necessary preparedness measures. Residents living in riverside and low-lying areas have also been advised to stay alert and move to safer locations if necessary.