Heavy rainfall forecast raises risk of short-term flooding in Rangpur, Sylhet

Rising river levels and forecasts of intense rainfall in Bangladesh and upstream Indian states have heightened concerns over temporary flooding in several northern and north-eastern districts

Although all major rivers across Bangladesh are currently flowing below danger levels, heavy rainfall over the coming days could trigger short-term flooding in parts of the country, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned.

The forecast was issued in a bulletin released by the FFWC on Sunday.

Emon Kalyan Das, assistant engineer and duty officer at the centre, said no river had yet crossed its danger mark, but several were flowing at warning levels at different monitoring stations.

These include the Teesta at Dalia (Nilphamari), Kaunia (Rangpur) and Tarapur (Gaibandha); the Surma at Kanaighat (Sylhet), Chhatak and Sunamganj; the Kushiyara at Fenchuganj in Sylhet; and the Someshwari at Kalmakanda in Netrokona.

Over the past 24 hours, heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of Chattogram Division, while moderate to heavy rain fell across Rangpur and Sylhet divisions.

Upstream, very heavy rainfall was also reported in Meghalaya, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh in India.

According to meteorological agencies, Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, along with adjoining upstream areas in West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days.

Moderate to heavy rainfall may continue for a further two days.

Basin-Wise Situation

Surma-Kushiyara basin: Water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara river systems have risen over the past 24 hours and may continue increasing over the next three days.

During this period, the rivers could flow above danger levels in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, creating short-term flooding in adjacent low-lying areas.

Rangpur Division: Water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers have increased and may continue rising for the next three days.

Within the next 72 hours, the rivers could exceed danger levels in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Rangpur districts, causing temporary flooding in low-lying areas.

Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges-Padma: Water levels in the Brahmaputra have increased, while the Jamuna has remained stable.

River levels across the basin may continue rising over the next five days but are expected to stay below danger marks.

The Ganges has also risen and may continue increasing for two more days before stabilising.

The Padma remains steady but could begin rising after two days.

Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram: Rivers in Mymensingh may reach warning levels, with some low-lying areas facing temporary inundation.

Water levels across rivers in Sylhet and Chattogram divisions are also expected to rise rapidly over the next three days.

The FFWC said that of 127 monitored water-level stations, readings increased at 56 points, decreased at 64 and remained unchanged at 17. No station recorded water above the danger level.