Sylhet, Sunamganj flooding may worsen as three rivers flow above danger level

The waters of the Surma, Kushiyara and Someshwari are flowing above the danger level at four points in three districts

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) says the ongoing flooding in the low-lying areas of the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may further deteriorate due to the continued increase in the water level of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in the next two days.

The FFWC regular bulletin on Monday said that at 9am, the water of three rivers was flowing above the danger level at four points in three districts.

The three rivers are the Surma, Kushiyara and Someshwari.

The water of the Surma River is flowing 15cm above the danger level at the Chhatak (Sunamganj district) point.

The water of the Kushiyara is flowing 27cm above the danger level at the Fenchuganj (Sylhet District) point and 1cm above the danger level at the Markuli (Sunamganj district) point.

The Someshwari River is flowing 8cm above the danger level at the Kalmakanda point (Netrakona district).

In the last 24 hours, the water levels of the Bandarban and Dohazari stations on the Sangu River have fallen below the danger level, while the Surma River has risen above the danger level at the Chhatak station.

The FFWC says the water levels of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in the northeastern region have risen in the 24 hours to 9am on Monday, may increase further over the next two days, before stabilising on the third day.

As a result, the flooding situation in the low-lying areas adjacent to these rivers in the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts may deteriorate somewhat over the next two days.

At the same time, the water levels of the Jadukata and Bhugai-Kangsha rivers in the northeastern region of the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions have also increased in the last 24 hours.

The water level of the Someshwari River, however, remains stable, and the water level of the Sarigowain River has decreased.

The forecast warns that the water level of rivers like the Sarigowain, Jadukata, Someshwari and Bhugai-Kangsha in the Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh districts may increase in the next 24 to 48 hours.

As a result, water may flow above the danger level in some places, and short-term flooding may arise in the low-lying areas adjacent to the rivers.

Quoting the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the FFWC said heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast in the Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions and in the upstream Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal over the next 24 hours.

The water level of the Teesta River has swelled in the past 24 hours, while the water level of the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers remains stable.

Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the water levels of the Teesta and Dudhkumar in the Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Kurigram districts may rise and flow above the danger level at some locations, causing short-term flooding in adjacent low-lying areas.

The Teesta in the Gaibandha District and the Dharla in the Kurigram may also flow above the danger level during this period, causing temporary flooding in the low-lying areas adjacent to the rivers.

In addition, the water levels of the Tangon, Punarbhaba, Ghagot, Atrai, Upper Atrai, Mahananda, Jamuneshwari and Karatoa rivers in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions have increased, while the Upper Karatoya has receded.

The water levels in these rivers may continue to swell for the next three days.

However, the water levels of the rivers Sangu, Matamuhuri, and other rivers in the Bandarban, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar districts in the south of the country may decrease, with the flooding in the low-lying areas adjacent to the rivers may continue to improve.

Currently, out of the 127 gauge stations monitored by the FFWC, the water has risen at 80 points and fallen at 44 points.