Due to continuous heavy to very heavy rains for several days, the water level of rivers in the north and north-eastern parts of the country is rising. In this situation, the water level of Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers may rise rapidly in the next 24 to 48 hours. This poses a risk of sudden or short-term flooding in the low-lying areas of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and Kurigram districts. At the same time, fears have been expressed that low-lying areas of several other districts of the country will be flooded in the next few days.
This information was given in the flood situation and forecast released by the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of the Water Development Board (Paubo) on Sunday (July 19).
Based on the current condition of the country’s rivers, the flood forecast says that the water is currently flowing above the danger level at Fenchuganj (Sylhet) and Markuli (Sunamganj) stations of the Kushiyara river. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in the Rangpur and Sylhet divisions of the country and the Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal for the next two days. As a result, the water level of the Surma and Kushiyara rivers may increase further in the next three days.
The water level of the two rivers may cross the danger level at some places in the next 48 hours. This may cause short-term flooding in the low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts or the existing flood situation may remain stable.
Meanwhile, the Water Development Board, predicting an increase in the water level of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna rivers, said that the water level of the rivers in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna water basin may rise close to or above the danger level between July 20 and 24. As a result, there is a fear of flooding in the low-lying areas of Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Bogra, Sirajganj and Tangail districts.
According to the report, the water level of the Sarigowain, Jadukata and Kangsa rivers in the northeastern region is stable, but the water level of the Someshwari and Bhugai rivers has increased. The water level of these rivers is likely to increase further in the next three days. The water level of the Someshwari river in Netrakona district may cross the danger mark at some places in the next 24 to 72 hours. This may cause short-term flooding in the low-lying areas adjacent to the river.
In addition, the water level of the Upper Karatoya, Upper Atrai, Tangon, Punarbhava, Mahananda and Yamuneshwari rivers in the northern region has increased. The water level of these rivers is likely to increase further in the next three days, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center.
Paubo officials said that the water situation in the rivers is being monitored around the clock and the administration of the concerned areas has been advised to remain vigilant.
