The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said on Monday that water levels in major rivers across northern, northeastern, and southeastern Bangladesh are rising, raising the risk of flash or short-term flooding in low-lying areas over the next 24 to 72 hours.
Weather agencies have forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, as well as in the upstream Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
Northern districts
Water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in Rangpur division rose over the past 24 hours and are expected to keep rising through Wednesday before stabilizing on Thursday. The FFWC said the rivers could flow above danger level at some points by Wednesday, with flash or short-term flooding possible in low-lying riverside areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram.
Northeastern districts
The Surma river rose over the past 24 hours while the Kushiyara fell, though both are forecast to rise through Thursday. Rivers may cross danger level at some points by Wednesday, with a risk of short-term flooding, or worsening of existing flooding, in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.
The Sarigoyain, Jadukata, Jinjiram, Someshwari, Bhugai, and Kangsha rivers in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions also rose and are expected to keep rising through Wednesday. The Bhugai, Kangsha, and Someshwari may cross danger level in Sherpur, Mymensingh, and Netrokona, while the Sarigoyain and Jadukata may do so in Sylhet and Sunamganj by Wednesday.
Major rivers
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and Ganges rose over the past 24 hours, while the Padma remained stable. All three are forecast to keep rising through Saturday. The FFWC said the Brahmaputra-Jamuna could flow near warning level in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra, Sirajganj, and Tangail by Thursday, with low-lying riverside areas at risk of inundation.
Northwestern districts
The Upper Karatoya, Upper Atrai, Tangon, Punarbhaba, Mahananda, Jamuneshwari, Atrai, and Ghaghat rivers rose over the past 24 hours, while the Karatoya and Chhoto Jamuna fell. These rivers are expected to rise through Thursday, with the Atrai and Chhoto Jamuna possibly nearing the warning level in Naogaon and Natore by Thursday, temporarily flooding some low-lying riverside areas.
Chittagong division
In the southeast, the Sangu river rose over the past 24 hours while the Halda fell, and the Matamuhuri remained stable. The FFWC said all three rivers are likely to rise on Tuesday and rise rapidly on Wednesday and Thursday.