Erratic late monsoon brings more rain, swells major rivers

Erratic late monsoon rain and onrush of water from upstream have considerably swelled major rivers in Bangladesh such as the Jamuna and Brahmaputra while Surma has already burst its banks at several points.

If it continues this way, there may be another round of floods in the second half of this month, says Sardar Uday Raihan, a sub-divisional engineer of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.

He said that the Surma-Jadukata River crossed the danger mark in at least three points.

"Of the 90 points where the Water Development Board monitors the water level, 80 of them have shown rising trends," he added.

He also said the water level is rising in Jamuna and Brahmaputra and it will continue for the next three days. “If it continues, many areas on the bank of Jamuna will be flooded," he added.

According to the Met Office, in July, at the beginning of the rainy season, there was higher than average rainfall, and the trend persisted through the month.

Dhaka and Chittagong suffered from major waterlogging due to the heavy rain while there were series of landslides in the hill districts. At 13 districts suffered from the flooding.

After a brief lull, the incessant rain began from Thursday in many other parts of the country. It may continue for several days, the Met officials said.

Senior Meteorologist Abdul Mannan told bdnews24.com an active monsoon is bringing in the rain. It will remain active for another few days. “There is heavy downpour in upstream regions, and that is being reflected on our rivers." 

He said several states of India are also affected by this monsoon system and are experiencing rain.

Meteorologist AKM Ruhul Kuddus said the monsoon may cause heavy to severe rainfall in some places of Dhaka, Sylhet, Barisal, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Chittagong divisions.

He warned that the rains may trigger landslides in hills of Chittagong and Sylhet.

On Friday, the Met office recorded 228mm rainfall in Sitakunda, 225mm in Rangamati, and 100-190mm rainfall at some places in Rangpur and Sylhet.