Flood situation to worsen in northern Bangladesh as major rivers keep swelling

The water level of five major rivers in the country – Dharala, Ghagot, Brahmaputra, Jamuna, and Someshwari – have been flowing above the danger level and continue to rise further, worsening the flood situation of Northern Bangladesh.

Already, thousands of people have been left marooned in Kurigram, Jamalpur, Nilphamari, Sirajganj, and Sunamganj districts and vast areas of cropland have gone underwater due to rising waters.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast says almost the entire country will experience rainfall in the next 24 hours, which will further increase the waters of the rivers.

According to the Flood Forecast and Warning Centre (FFWC), water level rose above the danger level at 11 points of these rivers, but decreased at three points which are still flowing above the danger level in the last 24 hours.

Water level of the Jamuna River is flowing 80cm above the danger level at Bahadurabad point of Jamalpur. The water level rose by 28cm in the last 24 hours at this point. The river is flowing 78cm above the danger level at Gaibandha’s Fulchari point. 

Similarly, the Brahmaputra River is flowing 77cm above the danger level at Kurigram’s Chilmari point and Dharala River is flowing 76cm above the danger level at Kurigram point.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Padma River has also been rising. At Goalundo point, the river is flowing only one centimetre to the danger level, after rising 28cm in the last 24 hours. 

Water level of the Padma River and the Ganges River has been rising at all points.

However, the water level of Surma River and Teesta River was recorded to have decreased during the period. 

Table: Water level above danger level

Source: Flood forecast and warning center

Light to moderate rain in next 24 hours

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has said the entire country will come under light to moderate rain in next 24 hours.

In a bulletin at 9am on Monday, BMD said light to moderate rain or thunder showers, accompanied by temporary gusty wind, is likely to occur at most places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barisal & Sylhet divisions and at many places over Chittagong division with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.

It also said: “The axis of monsoon trough runs through Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar in West Bengal to Assam across the central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to North Bay. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay.”

In the last 24 hours till 6am Monday, 73mm rainfall was recorded at Khepupara, while Comilla and Jessore recorded 66mm and 55mm rainfall respectively.

“From our forecast, we see rainfall across the country over the next few days,” Meteorologist Abdul Mannan said.