Fresh flood alert for 14 districts

Floodwaters are rising across the northern, north-eastern and south-eastern regions of Bangladesh, with three rivers flowing above danger level at four points and at least 14 districts facing short-term flood risks, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said on Tuesday.

The Kushiyara is flowing above danger level at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and Markuli in Sunamganj, the Surma at Chatak in Sunamganj, and the Someshwari at Kolmakanda in Netrokona, according to an FFWC bulletin. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 48 to 72 hours in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, as well as in the upstream Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

The Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers have risen sharply in Rangpur division, prompting authorities to open all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage at Dalia point in Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat, on Tuesday. Water has already entered low-lying char areas in Dahagram, Gaddimari, Sindurna, Dauabari, Bhotmari, Mohishkhocha, Khuniagachh and Rajpur, submerging Aman paddy seedbeds and other crops. Sunil Kumar, executive engineer of Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said water levels are being monitored round the clock and riverside residents have been asked to stay alert.

Flash flood risks also loom over Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram. In the north-east, the Surma and Kushiyara may cross danger levels further over the next two days, threatening low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj. The Atrai and Choto Jamuna rivers in Rajshahi division are rising too, with Naogaon and Natore districts likely to see localised flooding. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges are also swelling, with Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj and Tangail at risk of riverside inundation. In Chattogram division, the Muhuri, Feni, Selonia and Sangu rivers are rising rapidly, raising flood risks in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram by Thursday.

In Tangail, erosion by the Jamuna washed away part of the Tangail-Bhuapur-Tarakandi regional highway at Shakharia in Gopalpur upazila overnight Monday, halting all vehicular movement on the route since Tuesday morning. Commuters, goods trucks and ambulances are now taking a 15-kilometre detour, doubling travel time and costs. Locals accused the Water Development Board of relying on temporary geo-bag dumping instead of building a permanent embankment, warning that a breach could flood more than 50 villages in Gopalpur and Bhuapur. Former deputy minister and local MP Abdus Salam Pintu visited the site and directed the board to act swiftly, while Gopalpur UNO Manjurul Morshed has inspected the area twice this week. Executive engineer Md Moin Uddin of Tangail Water Development Board said emergency geo-bag work was underway and permanent repairs during the dry season would secure the highway.

In Sherpur, heavy rain and hill torrents from Monday flooded low-lying parts of Nalitabari and Jhenaigati upazilas. The Chellakhali river was flowing 324 centimetres above danger level, marooning over 200 families in Kolshpar and Joganiya unions. Fish enclosures were washed away and vegetable fields and Aman seedbeds submerged. District Commissioner Farida Yasmin said the administration has arranged dry food for affected families.