Rivers likely to rise as heavy rain looms across Bangladesh

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) says all major rivers are currently flowing below the danger mark

Rivers across Bangladesh are likely to swell in the coming days as a potential low-pressure system is expected to trigger heavy rainfall in parts of the country.

In a bulletin issued on Sunday, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Water Development Board said that water levels of all major rivers are currently below the danger mark.

It added that the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet -- a region that has been prone to flooding due to hill runoffs from the upstream -- are also flowing below danger levels.

Over the next 24 hours, river levels are expected to remain steady. However, water levels may begin to rise from Jul 7 and could approach danger levels in parts of the Sylhet district.

Moderate to moderately heavy rainfall is expected in the basin over the next 24 hours, followed by moderately heavy to heavy rainfall over the next two days.

Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra River’s water level is rising, while the Jamuna remains stable.

Over the next five days, water levels in these rivers are expected to rise but are likely to stay below the danger mark.

Similarly, water levels in the Ganges River are increasing and are expected to continue rising through Jul 11.

On the other hand, water levels in the Padma River remain stable and are expected to stay that way for the next two days, with a possible rise during the following three days, although levels are likely to remain below the danger mark during this time.

The forecast added that the Sangu River in the Chattogram Division is rising, while the Matamuhuri and Halda Rivers are experiencing falling water levels.

Over the next three days, water levels in the Sangu, Matamuhuri, and Halda rivers are expected to increase, but should remain below danger levels.

In this basin, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in the next 24 hours, followed by heavy to very heavy rainfall over the subsequent two days.

In the northern region, the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers remain stable and are flowing below danger levels. Water levels in these rivers may decrease over the next three days, during which light to moderate rainfall is expected.

Normal tidal activity is currently prevailing in coastal rivers of the southern Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions, and is likely to continue for the next three days.

In the coastal region, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours, followed by heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two days.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for the Chattogram, Khulna and Barishal divisions as active south-west monsoon winds continue to intensify.

The BMD said that parts of the Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions may see extremely heavy rain in the 24 hours from 10am.

The Met Office noted that the monsoon is moderately active over Bangladesh and strong over the northern Bay of Bengal. It added that a low-pressure system is likely to form over Gangetic West Bengal and nearby areas within the next 12 hours.