More floods in low-lying areas of central Bangladesh

Flooding has spread to the low-lying areas of central Bangladesh as the water level on the Ganges-Padma basin continues to rise.

According to the Water Development Board’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, floods have deteriorated in the central region but remain unchanged in the north.

Vast areas in 52 Upazilas of 13 districts have been waterlogged following two straight weeks of heavy rain and rising riverwaters.

The water level on rivers in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin and the Surma River remained unchanged on Friday, but rose in the Ganges-Padma basin and the Kushiara River.

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin water level may fall in the coming days, but the level in the Ganges-Padma basin will rise for two more days, said Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre Executive Engineer Md Sajjad Hossain.

Rising levels on the Jamuna River have also contributed to waterlogging in central regions. Concerns of floods have been exacerbated in parts of Rajbari, Manikganj, Munshiganj and areas near Faridpur and Madaripur by waters in the Aricha-Goalanda-Bhagyakul nearing and exceeding their danger levels.

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin exceeded its danger level in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sirajganj and Tangail on Friday.

The Teesta flooded Nilphamari, while the Surma-Kushiara-Someswari waters overflowed in areas of Netrokona, Sunamganj, Sylhet and Sherpur.

Habiganj and Brahmanbaria are at risk of flooding from the Titas and Khoai rivers. The Kopotakkho is past its danger level near Jessore’s Jhikorgacha.

Seven top officials from the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry have been dispatched to seven districts to inspect the floods.

Field level officials have also been sent to 11 districts to hold preparatory meetings.

Forecast

Rains may decrease slowly through Sunday, according to the Meteorological Department.

Sylhet recorded 59mm of rainfall in 24 hours, the highest in the country.

Saturday’s forecast says unstable winds and light to medium rain or thunderstorms are likely in areas of Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong and Sylhet and parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka and Mymensingh.

Other areas of the country may also face medium rainfall.

A 24-hour report up to 9am on Friday showed that water levels had risen in 54 of 90 observation stations around the country and sixteen of them had exceeded their danger limits.

The flooding in the north and northeast is likely to improve afterSunday. If the trend continues waters may begin to recede from the end of next week.