Bangladesh warns of potential flash floods in northern districts

Bangladesh is bracing for potential short-term and flash floods as the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) issued a special outlook warning for at least ten districts in the northern and northeastern regions. The warning indicates that these flood conditions could develop within the next 24 to 48 hours.

The FFWC attributes the rising water levels to heavy to very heavy rainfall occurring both within Bangladesh and in upstream Indian states, including Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal. Currently, major rivers like the Kushiyara in Sylhet and the Someshwari in Netrokona are flowing above their danger levels, leading to inundation of low-lying areas.

Projections show that water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers are expected to rise further over the next three days, potentially exacerbating conditions in Sylhet and Sunamganj. Other rivers, including the Sarigowain, Jadukata, Bhugai, Kangsha, and Someshwari, are also rising, increasing the risk of inundation in Sherpur, Mymensingh, and Netrokona.

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Heavy to very heavy rainfall inside Bangladesh and across upstream Indian states -- including Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal -- has caused a rapid rise in major river levels.

In the northern and northwestern parts of the country, the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers are experiencing significant rises. The Teesta is already at its warning level at several stations and may cross danger marks within 48 hours, threatening areas like Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram. The Brahmaputra–Jamuna river system is also on an upward trend, with the Brahmaputra at its warning level in Kurigram and expected to reach warning limits at multiple points within 72 hours, posing a threat to several districts.

While acknowledging the risk of temporary inundation in parts of Rajshahi division and potential deterioration in Sylhet over the next two days, an FFWC Executive Engineer assured that there is no possibility of major or prolonged flooding at this time.

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While conditions in parts of Sylhet may deteriorate over the next two days, he assured there is no possibility of major or prolonged flooding at this time.