Sylhet floods easing: FFWC

The flood situation in Sylhet and Sunamganj is expected to improve over the next three days as water levels in the Surma-Kushiara river system begin to recede, although the Kushiara River continued to flow above the danger level at two points on Friday, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

In its latest bulletin based on Thursday evening's data, the Bangladesh Water Development Board's forecasting unit said the Kushiara was flowing 37cm above the danger level at Fenchuganj in Sylhet and 7cm above the danger level at Markuli in Sunamganj. These were the only two of the country's 127 monitored river stations still above the danger mark.

The FFWC said water levels in the Surma-Kushiara river system remained stable over the past 24 hours and are expected to decline over the next two days before stabilising on the third day, bringing relief to low-lying areas along the rivers in Sylhet and Sunamganj.

The centre said heavy to very heavy rainfall was recorded in Chattogram division over the past 24 hours, while moderate to heavy rain fell in Sylhet and Khulna divisions. Heavy rainfall was also reported in the Meghalaya catchment in India.

It forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions over the next 24 hours, with moderate to heavy rain likely across much of the country during the following two days.

Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Teesta rivers are expected to rise to warning levels in parts of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj and Tangail within the next 24 to 48 hours, raising the risk of temporary flooding in adjacent low-lying areas.

The Atrai and Choto Jamuna rivers in Naogaon and Natore may also reach warning levels during the same period, the FFWC said.

In Kurigram's Rajarhat upazila, Teesta riverbank erosion has intensified, swallowing about 50 houses in Char Bidyananda and Char Toiyobkhan villages under Bidyananda union over the past three days. More than 200 houses and a school are now at risk, leaving many families homeless.

Authorities had earlier placed around 6,000 geo-bags to curb the erosion, but strong river currents washed away most of them.

Kurigram District Council Administrator Alhaj Sohel Hossain Kaykobad visited the affected areas on Thursday and inaugurated a fresh geo-bag dumping programme. Rajarhat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanzila Tasnim said additional geo-bags would be supplied in coordination with the Water Development Board.

Residents urged the government to take immediate and effective measures, warning that the two char villages could disappear if the erosion continues unabated.