Dbarta24 Desk- A short-term flood threat looms over at least 12 northern, northeastern, and north-central districts of Bangladesh within the next 24 to 72 hours due to persistent torrential downpours and heavy upstream rainfall across the Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam, and West Bengal.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued the alert on Wednesday, warning that water levels in major rivers are rising rapidly, threatening to inundate low-lying areas.
According to the FFWC, major rivers—including the Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Surma, and Kushiyara—are expected to maintain a sharp swelling trend over the next two to three days. Water levels at several monitoring points may approach or exceed their respective danger marks.
Consequently, low-lying regions in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Sherpur, and Mymensingh face imminent inundation.
The FFWC highlighted that the Teesta basin—particularly parts of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha—remains at the highest risk. Rapidly rising waters in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers threaten to submerge char areas and riverbank settlements.
Officials from the Water Development Board (WDB) at the Dalia Point along the Teesta Barrage in Lalmonirhat reported fluctuating water levels throughout the day. At 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, the Teesta flowed 13 cm above the danger mark (52.15 meters).
Although levels receded to 2 cm below the danger mark (52.13 meters) by 6:00 PM, all 44 sluice gates at the barrage remain open to manage upstream runoff.
In the northeastern region, heavy rainfall across Meghalaya and Assam is causing the Surma and Kushiyara rivers to swell, threatening fresh flooding in low-lying areas, haors, and rural roads across Sylhet and Sunamganj.
Meanwhile, hilly torrents in the north-central belt are escalating flood risks along the Someshwari, Bhogai, Kangsha, and Old Brahmaputra basins, putting border areas in Netrokona, Sherpur, and Mymensingh on high alert.
The Met Office confirmed that the monsoon remains highly active over Bangladesh, predicting moderate to heavy rains across the northern, northeastern, and southeastern regions over the coming days.
While the FFWC anticipates a short-term flood scenario that should ease once rain recedes upstream, prolonged precipitation could worsen and extend the crisis.
Local administrations, the WDB, and disaster management authorities in the vulnerable districts have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock monitoring and prepare response measures. Residents in high-risk zones have been advised to stay vigilant and move to safe shelters if necessary.