Heavy rain alert for six divisions as floods

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of six divisions, including Dhaka, over the next 24 hours, raising fears of further flooding as the death toll from rain-related incidents has risen to 44.

According to the BMD, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may receive 44-88mm of heavy rainfall, with some areas likely to record more than 88mm.

The ongoing rain has inundated roads in many parts of the country, including the capital, disrupting transport and forcing educational institutions in several areas to close. Daily wage earners have been among the worst affected.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said 44 people have died and at least 39 others were injured in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban due to floods and landslides.

More than 867,000 people have been affected, while 37,055 people have taken shelter in 1,727 shelters opened across the five districts.

The worst-hit district is Chattogram, where more than 662,000 people have been affected, followed by Cox’s Bazar with 158,027 affected.

The government has distributed 1,091.6 tonnes of rice, Tk 91.1 million in cash assistance and 34,470 packets of dry food, along with cooked meals, baby food, diapers and sanitary napkins.

Floodwaters have also caused extensive damage to agricultural land, destroying thousands of hectares of Aush paddy, Aman seedbeds and vegetable crops in the affected districts.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said the flood situation could worsen in 12 districts over the next two days due to continued rainfall and rising river levels.

The FFWC said water levels remain above the danger mark at several monitoring stations, including the Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari, the Kushiyara River at Markuli and Fenchuganj, and the Someshwari River at Kalmakanda.

Short-term flooding may develop or worsen in low-lying areas of Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Kurigram, as well as riverbank areas over the next two days.

However, the flood situation is likely to improve within the next 24 hours in low-lying areas along the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers in Bandarban, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, and along the Monu and Khowai rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj, the FFWC added.