Due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal and active monsoon conditions, almost all districts in Bangladesh have experienced rainfall over the past three days.
Rising river levels have flooded low-lying coastal areas, with strong water currents damaging the Padma River embankment near Majhirghat in Shariatpur.
Record rainfall has caused the Muhuri River in Feni to swell, breaching embankments and inundating vast areas in the district’s Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas.
Meanwhile, continuous rain has raised concerns of landslides in the hilly district of Khagrachhari.
The Meteorological Department has warned that rain may continue for at least another 24 hours, with moderate sea turbulence prompting ports to hoist local cautionary signal no 3.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Wednesday issued a warning forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in four divisions in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, and Barisal.
The alert also warned of potential landslides in hilly areas of Chittagong division and temporary waterlogging in parts of Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna metropolitan areas as the rainfall persists.
Continuous rainfall has left low-income communities, including rickshaw pullers and day labourers, struggling to earn a living.
Feni
Wednesday evening, the Selonia River at Subar Bazar point was recorded at 81cm above the danger level, while the Muhuri River at Parshuram point flowed 8 cm above the red line, with water levels continuing to rise.
Sarder Udoy Raihan, executive engineer of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), told Dhaka Tribune: “The water level in Feni district is expected to remain constant for the next 24 hours, with a possibility of improvement afterward.”
Raihan remarked that the river water levels have risen due to seasonal heavy rainfall and a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
“Over the past two days, Feni Sadar has recorded more than 600 millimeters of rainfall, significantly higher than normal levels,” he said.
Sagor Ghosh, a volunteer of Rokter Badhon in Parshuram, told Dhaka Tribune: “The water level is rising till now. People are frightened as they have seen a terrible flood last year.”
According to Sagor, the water has reached several houses near the river. Currently, the water is at the knee level in those houses.
Chittagong
Waterlogging has occurred in various areas of Chittagong city due to rainfall. The district received 85mm rainfalls in the last 24 hours.
As a result, low-lying areas, including Agrabad, have been inundated, causing the water to accumulate and create waterlogged conditions.
Since morning, rain has caused water to accumulate on main roads in several parts of the city, such as Agrabad, Chawk Bazar, Enayet Bazar, GEC, Katalganj, and Panchlaish, leading to waterlogging.
Additionally, water has entered alleyways in some areas of the city. This waterlogging is disrupting vehicle movement on the roads.
Rangamati
Tensions have gripped residents of the hill Rangamati district as the local met office forecast landslides. Despite repeated warnings from the administration to relocate to safer areas, many continue to stay in high-risk zones.
According to the local met office, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in Chittagong and adjoining districts due to the active monsoon, increasing the risk of landslides in hilly areas.
Rangamati district authorities said around 20,000 people from 5,000 families are currently living in landslide-prone areas, with 31 spots marked as high-risk zones in the district town.
Deputy Collector (NDC) of the District Administration Nabil Nawrose Baishakh said: “The district administration is fully prepared to deal with any disaster. Our response teams are on standby and will be deployed wherever necessary.”
Dhaka
The capital and its outskirts have recorded 45 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours, and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department warns that the rainy spell may persist for several more days.
In response to ongoing heavy rainfall, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has activated ward-level emergency response teams and set up a central control room to address potential waterlogging across the city.
Barisal
Heavy monsoon rain has triggered severe flooding in Barisal city and surrounding coastal areas, with 159 mm of rainfall recorded in a single day and river water entering urban zones, disrupting daily life and submerging low-lying regions.
Battala road, Gorosthan road, College avenue, and Amanatganj areas of the district are submerged in two to three feet of water, according to locals.
Ali Imam, a resident of the College Road told Dhaka Tribune: “Almost every area of the city is waterlogged due to the rainfall."
Yusuf Ali, the sanitation officer of Barisal City Corporation, said: "Cleaning campaigns are being conducted to keep the city's drainage system active."
Currently, temporary waterlogging is occurring as the water level of the Kirtankhola river has risen and entered the city.
Delwar Hussain, deputy commissioner of Barisal, acknowledged the situation and said the administration is closely monitoring and preparing to tackle any further deterioration.
Bhola
Bhola Deputy Commissioner Azad Jahan confirmed that the low-lying areas of the district have been flooded.
“However, we hope that most of this water will recede. We are constantly monitoring the situation,” he added.
In Bhola Sadar Upazila, due to heavy rain and tidal surge, water has entered most houses in Charnabad Majhi Bari area. Abdul Malek, a resident of the area, said that 81 houses have been submerged under two to three feet of water.
The Bhola district administration also confirmed that the low-lying areas of Tazumuddin, Doulatkhan, and Monpura upazilas have been flooded.
Passenger-carrying water transport services in coastal areas, including Hatia, Lakshmipur, Doulatkhan, and Betua have been suspended.
Bagerhat
Heavy rainfall continued across the coastal region on Wednesday due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, submerging low-lying areas in nine upazilas of the district.
Although Mongla port remained officially operational, loading and unloading of rice and fertilizer were disrupted, with local cautionary signal No 3 hoisted.
Waterlogging also affected several areas in Bagerhat town, including Rahat Mor, Sadhana Mor, Nager Bazar, the post office intersection, and Shaltala.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarbans, said strong gusts over the Bay of Bengal forced hundreds of trawlers to seek refuge in the canals of Katka, Kochikhali, Supoti, and Dublar Char since early morning.
Comilla
The water level in the Gomti River has surged sharply due to two days of continuous rainfall and water from upstream, prompting the district administration to issue an emergency alert for riverbank residents.
“The water level in the Gomti river is rising rapidly and it is time to remain vigilant,” said Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman, executive engineer (Gomti division) of the Water Development Board in Comilla. He added that the situation is being closely monitored.
Our correspondents in Barisal and Bagerhat contributed to this report.