Flood threat intensifies as rivers swell above danger levels

Bangladesh is facing an escalating flood situation as several major rivers have risen above danger levels following persistent heavy rainfall and upstream runoff from India, triggering flash floods, riverbank erosion, waterlogging and landslide fears in different parts of the country.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), 10 monitoring stations across six districts recorded river levels above danger marks on Thursday. The Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari, Matamuhuri at Lama and Chiringa, Manu at Manu Railway Bridge and Moulvibazar, Khowai at Ballah and Habiganj, Dhalai at Kamalganj, and Kushiyara at Markuli were all flowing above danger levels.

The Khowai River was 1.92 metres above danger level at Ballah and 1.40 metres at Habiganj, while the Matamuhuri exceeded the danger mark by 1.64 metres at Lama. The Sangu, Manu, Dhalai and Kushiyara also remained above critical levels.

The FFWC forecast very heavy rainfall over the next two days in Sylhet, Chattogram, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Rajshahi divisions, as well as the adjoining Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura and West Bengal.

Water levels in the Sangu, Matamuhuri and other rivers in Bandarban, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar are expected to rise further over the next 24 to 48 hours, increasing the risk of flooding in adjacent low-lying areas. The Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Selonia and Halda rivers may also exceed danger levels at some locations, while parts of Lakshmipur and Noakhali could face temporary inundation.

Flood conditions are expected to persist in low-lying areas along the Manu, Dhalai and Khowai rivers, while the Surma-Kushiyara river system may cross danger levels in Sylhet and Sunamganj within three days.

The Teesta may also exceed danger levels at some points in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur, while the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are forecast to flow near warning levels.

Despite the worsening situation elsewhere, the FFWC said there is no likelihood of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, Ganges-Padma or rivers surrounding Dhaka crossing danger levels within the next 10 days.

In Sylhet, continuous rainfall and upstream flows from Meghalaya have heightened fears of flash floods and landslides. Authorities have prepared 537 shelters, identified around 160 vulnerable hills, stocked dry food and intensified monitoring, while city authorities are clearing drainage systems.

In Moulvibazar's Kamalganj, a 100-metre embankment on the Dhalai River collapsed, inundating at least three unions and leaving around 10,000 people stranded. Homes, roads, schools and cropland were submerged, while farmers feared heavy crop losses.

Naogaon recorded 296 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, the season's highest, causing severe waterlogging in roads, markets, schools and residential areas. The Atrai River rose 1.87 metres during the period, raising fears of localised flooding.