Flash Floods Inundate Villages in Bangladesh After Heavy Rainfall, Hill Water Surge

Flash floods have swept through the border upazilas of Kalmakanda and Durgapur in Netrakona, Bangladesh, after continuous heavy rainfall and hill water from India's Meghalaya state surged downstream. At least 40 villages were inundated, with roads submerged and significant damage reported to fish ponds.

The deluge entered through the Mahadeo, Ganeshwari, Mongleshwari, and Netai rivers, causing widespread flooding in several unions. Communication has been severely disrupted as key roads, including the main route connecting Kharnai union to the Kalmakanda upazila headquarters, went underwater.

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Since the middle of the night, hill water has been entering with tremendous force through the Mongleshwari river and several canals. Water is flowing over many villages and even entering houses in some places. The main road to Kalmakanda, along with almost all other roads, has been submerged. The water is still rising continuously, and fish from many ponds are being washed away. We have informed the administration about the matter.

Local authorities and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) confirmed that river levels began rising rapidly late Friday night. Kharnai Union Chairman Md Obaydul Haque described the immense force of the hill water entering through the Mongleshwari river and canals, inundating villages and even homes. "The water is still rising continuously, and fish from many ponds are being washed away," he stated.

BWDB Executive Engineer Shakhawat Hossain reported that river levels across Netrakona are escalating. The Updakhali river in Kalmakanda is currently flowing 15 centimeters above the danger level, with further rises anticipated. Similar conditions are observed in the Netai river, contributing to the flooding in Durgapur upazila. The administration has dispatched teams to assess the full extent of the damage, with preparedness measures in place to respond to the ongoing flood situation.

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Due to continuous heavy rainfall and hill water flowing down from Meghalaya, water levels in almost all rivers in Netrakona are rising. The Updakhali river in Kalmakanda is currently flowing 15 centimetres above the danger level and may rise further. As a result, several areas of the upazila are being flooded. Water levels in the upstream Netai river have also risen, flooding several villages in Gaokandia union of Durgapur upazila.