To strengthen the existing flood forecasting and warning system, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).
The MoU was signed on Monday for a project titled “Promoting Resilience of Vulnerable through Access to Infrastructure, Improved Skills and Information (PROVATi3),” said a statement issued by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The project is being financed by IFAD and implemented by LGED.
The initiative hopes to benefit around 488,370 people by disseminating information about potential flood threats to the inhabitants of 175 unions of 19 upazilas in three flood prone districts—Kurigram, Gaibandha, and Jamalpur.
The system will especially focus on 69 sandbank unions, which are more vulnerable to floods triggered by heavy rains.
The warning system is expected to reduce losses caused by floods in the flood prone low-lying areas of north-western Bangladesh, agricultural lands often get destroyed by floods during the monsoon season.
The floods occurring overnight also damage houses and other properties of the inhabitants of these districts, considered to be among the poorest areas of the country.
Bangladesh Water Development Board forecasts floods with its Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, while DDM is authorized to warn about floods throughout the year.
Besides reviewing the current forecasting system, DDM under the PROVATi3 project will consolidate the flood information dissemination system for better results at the community level.
PROVATi3 works to improve rural infrastructure, enhance poor people's ability to generate income, and increase access to flood information at the community level, said the press release.
Major rivers still flowing above danger level
The Padma, Jamuna, and Brahmaputra rivers, and most of their tributaries, are still swelling above the danger mark, submerging a vast area of the northern districts of the country.
The Padma River has been flowing 20 centimetres above the danger mark at Goalando point in Rajbari, and the water levels at Bhagyakul, Mawa and Sureswar points are on the rise, according to the latest bulletin by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) on Tuesday morning.
More floods in a week
Md Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of FFWC, said the water levels may fall a little at different points in the north and northeastern districts, but they will remain above the danger level due to scattered rainfall.
“After a week, the seasonal rainfall might increase and we may see more flooding. Until then, the situation across the country will remain relatively unchanged over the next few days,” he added.
The FFWC expects the water level of the Padma and Ganges to continue to rise in the next 48 hours. The Padma may cross the danger mark at Bhagyakul point during this time.
“The water level of the Brahmaputra and Jamuna remains stable. However, the Jamuna may cross the danger mark at Aricha point in the next 24 hours,” the flood forecast said.
The FFWC also said floods in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sirajganj, and Tangail will remain unchanged while floods in Sylhet and Sunamgonj may recede.
