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Several rivers across four divisions of Bangladesh are expected to rise sharply over the next three days, raising the risk of flash floods in vulnerable areas, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said on Wednesday.
The agency, however, said the flood situation is likely to improve after the three-day period.
Heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has drenched large parts of the country for nearly three days, with some areas receiving more than 200mm of rain within 24 hours.
Chattogram recorded 394mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to Tuesday, while the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavier to very heavy rain across the country through Saturday.
The downpours have already caused water levels to rise in several rivers in the Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions, with further increases expected.
According to the FFWC, heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 to 72 hours could cause rivers in the northeast, east, southeast and northern regions to swell rapidly, triggering short-term flooding in parts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram.
The agency said all major rivers are currently flowing below danger level. However, persistent rainfall in Bangladesh, coupled with heavy downpours in the upstream Indian states of Meghalaya and Tripura, has heightened the flood risk.
The FFWC warned that the Teesta River could cross the danger level within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Water levels in the Surma-Kushiyara, Gomti, Muhuri, Feni, Sangu, Matamuhuri, Dudhkumar and Dharla rivers are also expected to rise rapidly, increasing the likelihood of localized flash floods.
