Short-Term Flooding Feared Again in Five Northern Districts

Fresh concerns over short-term flooding have surfaced in five northern districts of Bangladesh as continued rainfall and upstream water inflows threaten to push river levels above danger marks.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) under the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) issued the warning on Saturday.

The forecast said heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next 24 to 48 hours across Sylhet, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions, as well as the neighbouring Indian states of Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal.

The anticipated rainfall is likely to cause a rapid rise in water levels in rivers across northern Bangladesh, while increasing the risk of landslides in the country's hilly regions.

The FFWC warned that water levels in the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may rise above their respective danger levels at some points in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts over the next 24 to 48 hours. The overflowing rivers could trigger short-term flooding in nearby low-lying areas.

"We have received a forecast of short-term flooding in the district's low-lying areas. We are monitoring the situation round the clock, and repair work is continuing at vulnerable sections of flood control embankments," said Rakibul Hasan, executive engineer of the BWDB in Kurigram.