Muyabia Labony ; Dhaka — Heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast over the next 24 to 72 hours could trigger short-term flooding across eight districts in northern and northeastern Bangladesh, officials warned on Sunday.
The Flood Forecast and Warning Centre (FFWC) issued a bulletin highlighting that torrential downpours within Bangladesh—specifically across the Rangpur and Sylhet divisions—alongside heavy rains upstream in India’s Assam, Meghalaya, and West Bengal states, are likely to cause a rapid swell in major river systems.
Northern Region on High Alert
According to the FFWC, water levels in key northern rivers including the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar have remained stable over the past 24 hours but are expected to surge continuously over the next three days.
Within the next 24 to 48 hours, water levels in several sections of these rivers may cross danger marks. This surge poses an immediate risk of flash or short-term flooding in low-lying areas along riverbanks in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram districts.
In addition, water levels in major rivers across northern and western Bangladesh—such as the Upper Karatoya, Upper Atrai, Tangon, Punarbhaba, Mahananda, and Jamuneswari—have begun rising and are projected to swell further over the coming days.
Northeastern Rivers Rising Rapidly
In the northeast, water levels in the Surma River rose over the last 24 hours, while the Kushiyara River remained stable. Both rivers are forecasted to swell significantly over the next three days.
The FFWC reported that water levels could exceed danger thresholds in parts of these rivers within 48 hours, creating short-term flood conditions in parts of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. Currently, the Kushiyara River is already flowing above the danger mark at the Fenchuganj station in Sylhet and the Markuli station in Sunamganj.
Furthermore, the Someswari River in Netrokona district is expected to cross the danger mark within 24 to 72 hours, potentially inundating adjacent low-lying villages. Other northeastern rivers, including the Sarigowain, Jadukata, Kangsha, and Bhugai, are also monitoring continuous rises in water levels.
Brahmaputra-Jamuna Basin Monitoring
Downstream, water levels in the Jamuna River have risen while the Brahmaputra River remains steady. Predictions indicate a steady water level rise across the Brahmaputra-Jamuna basin over the next five days.
Between July 20 and July 24, water levels could reach warning limits at points along Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogura, Sirajganj, and Tangail, threatening low-lying floodplain communities.
With major river basins swelling simultaneously due to heavy trans-boundary monsoon currents, authorities advise local administrations and residents in vulnerable floodplain zones to stay vigilant and monitor official river bulletins closely over the coming days.