Persistent heavy rainfall, upstream inflows, and rapidly rising river levels have heightened flood and landslide risks across Bangladesh, with authorities warning that at least 17 districts could face short-term flooding over the next 24 to 72 hours.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) said several rivers could rise above danger levels during the period, while continuous rainfall has sharply increased landslide risks in the hilly areas of Chittagong Division.
According to the latest weather bulletin issued on Tuesday, Chittagong Division recorded extremely heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, while Sylhet and Barisal divisions received heavy to very heavy rain. Neighboring Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura also experienced heavy rainfall.
The bulletin forecasts heavy to very heavy rain over the next four days in Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Rangpur divisions, as well as upstream areas of Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
The FFWC said water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are likely to rise rapidly, bringing them close to warning levels and causing temporary flooding in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.
Water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Selonia, Halda, Sangu, and Matamuhuri rivers are also expected to rise quickly and may cross danger levels in parts of Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Chattogram, and Khagrachhari. Low-lying areas of Lakshmipur and Noakhali may also experience temporary flooding.
The forecast further said the Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Kangsha, Sarigowain, Someshwari, Jadukata, and Bhugai rivers are likely to rise rapidly, increasing the risk of short-term flooding in parts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, and Mymensingh.
In northern Bangladesh, the Teesta River could rise above the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, raising flood risks in low-lying areas of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat. The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may also approach warning levels in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat.
Meteorologist Omar Faruk said: "Under the influence of a monsoon low-pressure system over the northwestern Bay of Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely across parts of Chattogram, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, and Sylhet divisions over the next 72 hours. The excessive rainfall also increases the risk of landslides in the hilly areas of Chattogram Division."
Bandarban faces severe landslide threat
Bandarban remains the most vulnerable district, with relentless rainfall putting nearly 30,000 families living at the foothills across its seven upazilas at risk of landslides.
The district administration has begun public awareness campaigns in vulnerable areas, prepared 120 emergency shelters, and formed eight medical response teams.
Rising water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers have also heightened flood risks in Thanchi, Ruma, Lama, and Alikadam upazilas.
More than 50 tourists remain stranded in the Keokradong area of Ruma, while those stranded in Thanchi and Remakri have been safely evacuated by local authorities and volunteer guides.
The district administration has suspended all tourist activities until Friday because of the adverse weather.
Bandarban Municipality Administrator Manjurul Alam said: "Continuous rainfall over the past several days has increased the risk of landslides and flooding in low-lying areas. We remain on high alert to deal with the situation."
Deputy Commissioner Saniul Ferdous said comprehensive disaster preparedness measures had been taken, with executive magistrates and Upazila Nirbahi Officers instructed to relocate residents from landslide-prone areas.
He said public announcements were being made across all seven upazilas to minimize casualties, adding that 120 shelters had been opened and eight medical teams were on standby.
Flooding worsens in Cox's Bazar
At least 33 unions across all nine upazilas of Cox's Bazar have been inundated after days of relentless rainfall.
Large areas of Ramu, Chakaria, Pekua, Maheshkhali, Teknaf, Ukhiya, Eidgaon, and Kutubdia remain under water as the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers swell and flash floods rush down from surrounding hills, leaving hundreds of families stranded.
At least 11 people have died in landslides over the past two days, while more than 1,000 residents have been evacuated from vulnerable hillside settlements.
Boat services between Teknaf and St. Martin's Island remain suspended because of rough weather. With transport links severed for five consecutive days, concerns over food shortages on the island are mounting. Local transport has also been disrupted after a bridge collapsed in Kutubdia.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan said the overall situation was gradually improving as rainfall eased.
He said at least 1,000 people had been relocated from vulnerable hilly areas in Cox's Bazar town, Ramu, Ukhiya, and Teknaf because of landslide risks, adding that authorities remained on maximum alert as more heavy rain was forecast.
Rohingya camps hit hard
Heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides have caused extensive damage in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.
According to UNHCR, at least 10 Rohingya refugees have died and another 10 have been injured in recent days.
Around 15,813 people have been affected and 3,182 displaced. A total of 52 landslides, 14 flood incidents, and 83 storm-related events have been recorded, with humanitarian agencies continuing emergency relief operations.
Record rainfall disrupts Chittagong
Chattogram recorded 330.8 millimeters of rainfall over the past 24 hours, leaving many parts of the city submerged under knee- to waist-deep water and triggering widespread waterlogging, severe traffic congestion, and flooding of businesses.
Flooded rail tracks forced the Cox's Bazar-bound Tourist Express, carrying around 1,000 passengers, to remain stranded for several hours.
Adverse weather also disrupted operations at Shah Amanat International Airport. Several international flights were diverted to Dhaka, while one domestic flight was unable to land in Chattogram and returned to the capital.
Airport Public Relations Officer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil said several flights had been diverted because of adverse weather, while one returned to Dhaka after failing to land in Chattogram.
He said wind speeds at the airport were between 80 and 90 kilometers per hour and normal flight operations would resume once weather conditions improved.
Fatality reported in Rangamati
In Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila, an elderly man was killed after being crushed by a tree brought down during a landslide.
In Kaptai, landslides and fallen trees temporarily blocked the Chattogram-Kaptai road. Authorities have opened emergency shelters and urged residents in vulnerable hillside areas to move to safer locations.
Authorities on high alert
District administrations, the Fire Service, the Army, local authorities, and law enforcement agencies have been placed on emergency alert.
Public warning campaigns are underway in high-risk areas, emergency shelters have been activated, tourist sites have been closed, and rescue and medical response efforts have been reinforced.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue across several parts of the country over the next 48 to 72 hours, keeping the risks of flooding, landslides, and waterlogging elevated.
