Kushiara flows above danger mark as flood risk grows in Sylhet

Flooding may hit parts of Sylhet within the next 72 hours as rivers continue to swell

The Kushiara River is flowing above the danger level at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and Markuli in Sunamganj.

At 9am on Saturday, water stood 35cm above the danger level at Fenchuganj and 8cm above it at Markuli, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

The FFWC said water levels in the Surma-Kushiara river system have risen over the past 24 hours and may continue increasing for the next three days, raising the risk of short-term flooding in low-lying riverside areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

Heavy rainfall upstream in India's Meghalaya has intensified the situation.

Mawsynram recorded 349mm of rain in 24 hours, Sohra 280mm, Cherrapunji 252mm and Mawphlang 98mm. Bilonia in Tripura received 100mm, while Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh recorded 84mm.

The FFWC also warned that the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in Rangpur Division could rise over the next three days, potentially triggering short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure system over western West Bengal has shifted northwest and is expected to weaken within 24 hours.