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The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across six divisions over the next 24 hours, heightening fears of fresh flooding as the death toll from rain-related disasters has climbed to 44.
According to the BMD, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to receive 44 to 88 millimetres of rainfall, with some places expected to record more than 88 millimetres.
The persistent downpours have inundated roads in many parts of the country, including the capital, disrupting transport, forcing the closure of educational institutions in several areas and causing widespread hardship, particularly for daily wage earners.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said 44 people have been killed and 39 others injured in floods and landslides across Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban.
The disaster has affected more than 867,000 people, while 37,055 people have taken refuge in 1,727 shelters opened across the five worst-hit districts.
Chattogram remains the hardest-hit district, with more than 662,000 people affected, followed by Cox’s Bazar, where 158,027 people have been impacted.
To support affected communities, the government has distributed 1,091.6 tonnes of rice, Tk 91.1 million in cash assistance and 34,470 packets of dry food, alongside cooked meals, baby food, diapers and sanitary napkins.
The floods have also caused extensive damage to agriculture, destroying thousands of hectares of Aush paddy, Aman seedbeds and vegetable fields, raising concerns over crop losses.
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) warned that the flood situation could deteriorate further in 12 districts over the next two days as continued rainfall and rising river levels increase the risk of inundation.
The FFWC said water levels remain above the danger mark at several monitoring stations, including the Sangu River at Bandarban and Dohazari, the Kushiyara River at Markuli and Fenchuganj, and the Someshwari River at Kalmakanda.
It warned that short-term flooding may develop or worsen in low-lying areas of Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Kurigram, as well as adjacent riverbank communities, over the next 48 hours.
However, the FFWC said flood conditions are expected to improve within the next 24 hours in low-lying areas along the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers in Bandarban, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, and along the Monu and Khowai rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj.