4 rivers overflow danger level, cautionary signal issued for river, maritime ports

FFWC data shows water in the Someshwari River has been flowing 73cm above the pre-monsoon danger level at the Kolmakanda Point

The water levels of four rivers are flowing above danger levels at five points across Bangladesh, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) under the Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB).

Data from the centre showed that as of 9am on Thursday, water in the Someshwari River was flowing 73cm above the pre-monsoon danger level at the Kolmakanda Point in Netrokona.

At the same time, the water level in the Bhogai-Kangsha River was 100cm above the pre-monsoon danger level at the Jariajanjail Point in Netrokona.

The Sutang River was also flowing 11cm above the pre-monsoon danger level at the Sutang Arabi station in Habiganj.

FFWC Assistant Engineer Nusrat Jahan Jerin told bdnews24.com, “Based on the information we have, the flood situation in the Haor areas remains unchanged for now. Rainfall there has been lower than what we had anticipated. If this trend continues, we expect the flood situation in those areas to improve within the next few days.”

Signal No. 1 at River Ports, Signal No. 3 at Maritime Ports

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has maintained cautionary signal No. 1 in force at several river ports due to rough river conditions and cloudy skies.

In a special river port warning issued on Thursday, the Met Office said that from 9am to 6pm, temporary gusty or squally winds accompanied by rain or thundershowers may blow over the Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar regions from the west or northwest with a wind speeds of 45-60 kmph.

In a separate warning for seaports issued the same day, the Met Office said the pressure gradient over the North Bay and adjoining areas remained steep.

Hence, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep local cautionary signal No. 3 hoisted.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have also been advised to stay close to the coast and move cautiously until further notice.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir told bdnews24.com, “Local cautionary signal No. 3 has been issued at the maritime ports due to the pressure gradient.

“As for the river ports, signal No. 1 has been issued mainly because of convective clouds and some rolling cloud activity in the southern region.”

Rain Expected in 8 Divisions

In its Thursday morning bulletin, the BMD said many places in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may experience temporary gusty or squally winds, lightning, and light to moderate rain or thundershowers in the 24 hours commencing at 9am.

Moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall may also occur in some parts of the country.

Day and night temperatures across the country may rise slightly during this period.

Asked when rainfall may ease, Tariful said: “This (rain) is likely to continue for the next one to two days, though it may weaken slightly. Mainly until the 3rd or 4th of May. After that, rainfall is expected to decline.”

Asked whether temperatures would rise again after the rainfall subsides, he said: “As this is the pre-monsoon season, April and May are typically the hottest months in Bangladesh. So once rainfall decreases, temperatures will gradually begin to rise.”

The country’s highest temperature in the 24 hours to 6am on Thursday was recorded in Satkhira at 33.6 degrees Celsius.

The lowest temperature was recorded in Narayanganj at 18.5 degrees Celsius, where very heavy rainfall was also recorded, with 104mm of rain in 24 hours.

The highest rainfall during the period was recorded in Khepupara, Patuakhali, at 121mm.

The BMD also recorded 112mm of rainfall in Hatiya, Noakhali; 85mm in Baghabari, Rajshahi; 75mm in Tangail; 72mm in Patuakhali; and 65mm in Dhaka.