Flashflood likely in parts of Bangladesh as major rivers swell: FFWC

Parts of Bangladesh are likely to witness flash floods over the next 24 to 72 hours due to monsoon rains and a rise in water levels in major rivers in the eastern, southeastern, northeastern and northern districts, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).

The FFWC said the Gomati, Muhuri, Feni, Selonia, Halda, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers in the Chattogram Division could flow above the danger level at several locations in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Chattogram and Khagrachhari districts.

The rising water levels may trigger flashfloods in adjacent low-lying areas during the next one to three days.

It also cautioned that low-lying areas along rivers in Lakshmipur and Noakhali districts may experience temporary inundation as water levels continue to rise.

In the northeastern region, the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are expected to rise rapidly over the next three days and may reach the warning level in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, increasing the likelihood of flash floods in nearby low-lying areas.

The FFWC further said that the Sari-Goyain, Someswari, Jadukata and Bhugai rivers are also forecast to rise sharply and may exceed the danger level at several points in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sherpur and Mymensingh districts within the next 24 to 72 hours, potentially causing floods.

In northern Bangladesh, the Teesta River may cross the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours, posing a flood threat to low-lying areas of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts.

Meanwhile, the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are expected to flow at the warning level in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts over the next 72 hours.

The warning comes after very heavy rainfall was recorded across the Chattogram Division during the past 24 hours, while heavy to very heavy rainfall was also reported in the Sylhet and Barishal divisions, as well as the upstream Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and global weather agencies, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over the next four days across the Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions, along with adjoining upstream areas of Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal in India. 

The continued rainfall is expected to sustain high river flows and heighten the risk of flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Meteorologists said the monsoon low-pressure system, which was previously located over Odisha and adjoining southern Jharkhand in India, has moved northwestward and weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area.

It is currently positioned over eastern Madhya Pradesh and continues to influence monsoon activity across Bangladesh and the surrounding region.