Water levels in the Teesta River may rise over the next three days, potentially reaching warning levels in parts of Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur, according to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
The rise may temporarily inundate some low-lying areas along the river, the BWDB’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre said in its latest rainfall, river situation and forecast report published on Saturday.
Water levels in the Teesta rose over the past 24 hours, while levels in the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers declined.
However, water levels in all three rivers are expected to rise over the next three days.
Meanwhile, the Kushiyara River at Fenchuganj in Sylhet is currently flowing above the danger level, according to the monitoring center.
Heavy rainfall forecast
Moderate to heavy and very heavy rainfall is forecast in Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions and adjoining upstream areas over the next 48 to 72 hours.
The report said the land depression over Jharkhand and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal had weakened into a well-marked low and subsequently into a low-pressure area. It may move further west-northwestwards.
The Sangu River in Chittagong division also recorded a rise in water level over the past 24 hours.
In contrast, water levels in the Gomti, Muhuri, Selonia, Feni, Halda and Matamuhuri rivers declined. The BWDB expects water levels in these rivers to rise over the next three days.
Brahmaputra-Jamuna trend
Water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers fell over the past 24 hours.
The decline is expected to continue for the next two days, after which water levels may remain stable for the following three days.
The Ganges-Padma river system is currently showing a stable trend. Water levels are expected to remain stable for the next two days before rising over the subsequent three days.
Despite the expected rise, water levels are likely to remain below the danger mark, according to the forecast.
Surma-Kushiyara outlook
In the northeastern region, water levels in the Surma-Kushiyara river system also declined over the past 24 hours.
The BWDB expects water levels to fall further over the next day and remain stable during the following two days.
The latest forecast indicates a risk of localized flooding in low-lying areas, particularly along the Teesta, amid increased rainfall in several parts of the country and upstream areas.
