Heavy rain keeps flood threat high

Relentless rainfall has pushed the flood situation to a critical stage in parts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur, with five major rivers flowing above the danger level at nine monitoring stations.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) on Friday warned that flooding could worsen across parts of the northeast, north and southeast over the next 24 to 72 hours as heavy to very heavy rainfall continues.

According to the FFWC, the Kushiara, Manu, Khowai, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers are flowing above the danger mark at nine stations.

The Kushiara has crossed the danger level at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and Markuli in Sunamganj. The Manu is flowing above the danger mark at Manu Rail Bridge and Moulvibazar, while the Khowai has exceeded the danger level at Balla in Habiganj.

Of the country's 127 river monitoring stations, water levels rose at 78 and fell at 44, although several rivers remain above the danger level.

The FFWC said the water levels of the Surma and Kushiara rivers may rise further over the next 48 hours. This could worsen flooding in the low-lying areas along the Kushiara in Sylhet  and Sunamganj, while short-term flooding may also occur along the banks of the Surma.

If that happens, low-lying areas in these districts, as well as parts of Lakshmipur and Noakhali, may be temporarily inundated. 

In northern Bangladesh, the Teesta River may cross the danger level in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur within the next 24 to 48 hours, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.

The FFWC also warned that the water levels of the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat may continue to rise and approach the warning level within the next 72 hours.

Meanwhile, water levels of the Someshwari, Jadukata and Bhogai-Kangs rivers in Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh are also expected to rise. If these rivers cross the danger level at some points, short-term flooding may occur in nearby low-lying areas.

Meteorologist Bazlur Rashid said rainfall has increased in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, where intermittent rain continued on Friday. Dhaka has also experienced intermittent rainfall for the past three days, causing waterlogging in several areas and increasing the suffering of city residents. However, he said there is no risk of very heavy rainfall in the capital.

The weather office forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in Sylhet, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Rajshahi divisions over the next 24 to 48 hours. The five-day forecast, however, suggests that weather conditions may gradually improve after rain continues until Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has asked the country's four seaports to display local warning signal No. 3, while all river ports have been advised to keep warning signal No. 1 in force.

Four children died in separate flood-related incidents in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar on Friday as relentless heavy rain and hill runoff continued to wreak havoc across southeastern Bangladesh, leaving more than 450,000 people stranded in Chattogram district alone.

In Chattogram's Banshkhali Upazila, two children were swept away by hill runoff in separate incidents in Baharchhara Union at around 11:30 am on Friday.

The victims were identified as Mohammad Ashik, 7, son of expatriate Kamal Uddin of South Ilsha village, and Mohammad Miraj, 3, of Ratnapur area in the same union.

Banshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rabiul Haque said that police had received reports of the two children's deaths after they were swept away by the strong current. He said legal formalities would be completed before the bodies were handed over for burial.

In another incident on Friday morning, two sisters died after a small boat capsized in floodwaters in Rasulabad area of Baraitali Union under Chakaria Upazila in Cox's Bazar. The deceased were identified as Hasnatul Jannat Jharna, 12, and her younger sister Shaorin Moni, 7.

Quoting local residents, Chakaria Fire Service and Civil Defence Station Officer Didarul Haque said that several days of incessant rain and hill runoff had inundated the area around the family's home. As floodwaters continued to rise, Abdul Malek decided to move his wife and three daughters to a safer place in a small country boat carrying a few essential belongings.

Before reaching their destination, the boat overturned in strong winds. Jharna went missing and was later found dead, while Shaorin was rescued and taken to hospital, where she later died while undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, more than 450,000 people have been marooned by severe flooding across Chattogram district following days of heavy rainfall.

The Chattogram Divisional region has been battered by continuous downpours, prompting the district administration to cancel leave for government employees to strengthen emergency response efforts.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian announced the decision on Thursday, saying widespread flooding, landslides and waterlogging had affected large parts of the district.

"Satkania Upazila is the worst affected, with about 70 percent of the area under water. Vast areas of Chandanaish, Lohagara, Banshkhali and Boalkhali upazilas have also been inundated," he told reporters, adding that authorities were closely monitoring rescue operations, relief distribution and the overall flood situation.

Elsewhere, the Bangladesh Army evacuated another 411 stranded tourists from Sajek Valley in Rangamati on Friday morning after floodwaters submerged sections of the road at Machalong and Baghaihat Bazar, cutting off road communication.

Tourists were ferried across the inundated stretches using boats and bamboo rafts before being transported by road to safer destinations.

According to the Sajek Cottage and Resort Owners' Association and local administration, continuous rainfall flooded several sections of the Dighinala-Baghaihat-Machalong-Sajek road, leaving around 561 tourists stranded in the popular hill resort.

On Thursday afternoon, the army launched a special evacuation operation, transporting the first batch of 150 tourists, including 10 children, 100 men and 40 women. Those with urgent travel needs were given priority.

Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amena Marjan said the remaining stranded tourists left Sajek safely on Friday morning, completing the evacuation operation.

In Bandarban, the flood situation on Friday is still the same continuous heavy rains. Although the water has started to recede from some low-lying areas, there are still several feet of water in various areas of the district town and Lama. The general public, including students and patients, are suffering due to disruption of road communication.