Flood warning: Heavy rains threaten to inundate 4 northeastern districts

The country is bracing for a worsening flood situation as continuous downpours push river water levels above the danger mark in several regions. 

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has issued a fresh alert, warning that heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days could inundate low-lying areas in four additional northeastern districts-- Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Moulvibazar.

According to the latest bulletin from the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the northeastern upstream areas have experienced moderate to heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, while the internal haor basins have seen heavy to extreme downpours. 

Data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and global weather agencies suggest this intense rainfall will persist for another three days. 

Consequently, water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers across Sylhet and Sunamganj are expected to rise steadily. 

Authorities warn that the Kushiyara River may cross the pre-monsoon danger mark by the third day, triggering flash floods in adjacent low-lying haor regions.

In Netrokona, the water levels of the Bhugai-Kangs and Someshwari rivers are projected to remain stable over the next three days, though the existing flood situation in the Bhugai-Kangs basin is likely to persist. 

Meanwhile, water levels in the Dhanu-Baulai rivers flowing through Netrokona and Kishoreganj are on the rise. 

The Baulai River is expected to cross the pre-monsoon danger mark at the Khaliajuri point within 48 hours, threatening to submerge low-lying areas in Netrokona's Baulai basin.

The situation is also deteriorating in Habiganj and Moulvibazar. The Khowai and Sutang rivers in Habiganj, along with the Manu and Juri rivers in Moulvibazar, are expected to swell over the next 72 hours. 

The Khowai and Juri rivers may rapidly cross the pre-monsoon danger mark within 24 hours, while the Manu River is projected to reach its warning level. This rapid surge is likely to trigger new flooding in Moulvibazar's wetland areas and worsen the ongoing crisis in Habiganj.

Currently, several rivers are already flowing above the pre-monsoon danger mark, severely impacting local communities. These include the Naljur River at Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, the Bhugai-Kangs at Jariajanjail and the Someshwari at Kalmakanda in Netrokona.

The Mogra River is also flowing above the danger level at the Netrokona and Atpara points, as is the Sutang River at the Sutang Railway Bridge in Habiganj. 

While the main Surma and Kushiyara rivers remained stable over the past 24 hours, the warning center noted a slight water level decrease in the Bhugai-Kangs river and a slight increase in the Dhanu-Baulai river.