Flood situation worsens in north

The flood situation worsened across the country on Sunday, with an embankment breach in Noakhali's Hatiya and prolonged waterlogging continuing to cripple parts of Jamalpur, while forecasters warned that fresh flooding could hit five northern districts within the next 48 hours. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), rising river levels could trigger short-term or flash floods in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram. The agency urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as water levels continue to rise.

The FFWC said water levels of the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in Rangpur division remained stable over the past 24 hours but could rise over the next three days. The Dalia, Kaunia, Tarapur and Haripur stations on the Teesta were at the warning level on Sunday, and a further rise could trigger flash or short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram.

In Hatiya, a tidal surge washed away a 20-metre section of a flood control embankment at Afazia in Char Ishwar union, inundating croplands, homes and rural roads. Residents alleged that the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) had ignored repeated requests over the past month to repair the vulnerable embankment.

However, BWDB Sub-divisional Engineer Jamil Ahmed Patwari said adverse weather had delayed the arrival of a sand-laden vessel for repair work, leading to the breach. He added that two other sections of the embankment in Nalchira and Sukhchar unions remain at high risk of river erosion.

Meanwhile, thousands of people in Jamalpur continued to suffer as stagnant water kept nearly 50 areas submerged for the 15th consecutive day. Residents reported an acute shortage of safe drinking water, a worsening mosquito infestation and snakes entering flooded homes. They blamed the prolonged waterlogging on encroached canals and blocked drainage systems. Jamalpur Municipality Administrator Mousumi Khanam said drainage clearance work was already underway, with funds allocated in the current budget.