The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned of possible flash floods in five northern districts as heavy rainfall and upstream inflows continue to raise river water levels.
According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board's (BWDB) latest flood forecast issued on Sunday, water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may cross the danger level at some points within the next 24 to 48 hours.
As a result, low-lying riverside areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram may experience flash or short-term flooding.
The FFWC said the Kushiyara River is already flowing above the danger level at the Fenchuganj station in Sylhet and the Markuli station in Sunamganj.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast over the next two days in Rangpur and Sylhet divisions, as well as India's Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal. Consequently, water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are expected to rise further over the next three days.
The forecast said water levels at some points of the two rivers may cross the danger level within the next 48 hours, potentially triggering short-term flooding in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj, or prolonging the existing flood situation.
Meanwhile, the Brahmaputra remained stable over the past 24 hours, while the Jamuna continued to rise. The trend is expected to continue over the next five days.
Between July 20 and July 24, water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system may reach warning levels at several points in Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra, Sirajganj and Tangail, raising the risk of flooding in adjacent low-lying areas.
The FFWC also said water levels in the Someshwari and Bhugai rivers have increased, while the Sarigowain, Jadukata and Kangsha rivers remained stable.
Water levels in the Someshwari and Bhugai are likely to rise further over the next three days. The Someshwari River may cross the danger level at some points in Netrokona within the next 24 to 72 hours, increasing the risk of short-term flooding in nearby low-lying areas.
In northern Bangladesh, water levels in the Upper Karatoa, Upper Atrai, Tangon, Punarbhaba, Mahananda and Jamuneshwari rivers have also increased and are expected to continue rising over the next three days, the forecast added.
