Heavy monsoon rains have triggered flood warnings across five districts in Bangladesh, with four major rivers already flowing above their respective danger levels.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), a wing of the Water Development Board, low-lying areas in Moulvibazar and Netrokona have already begun to submerge as flooding commences.
According to media reports, on Wednesday morning that flood situations could emerge in the low-lying regions of Sylhet, Habiganj, and Sunamganj as well. He confirmed that the Bhugai Kongso, Manu, Someswari, and Magra rivers are currently flowing above the danger mark.
Notably, three of these rivers—the Bhugai Kongso, Someswari, and Magra—flow through Netrokona district.
The sudden deterioration of the situation is attributed to heavy to very heavy rainfall that began across the country on Tuesday. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the highest rainfall in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning was recorded in Nikli, Kishoreganj, at 161mm.
Other significant totals included 151mm in Bhola and 148mm in Feni. In the capital, rain has been continuous since Wednesday morning.
The BMD has forecast that this heavy rainfall is likely to persist for at least another five days, having previously issued a 96-hour warning for various locations across all eight divisions.
Media reports also said that hilly rivers are particularly susceptible to rapid increases during such weather events. The Surma river has risen by 50cm, while the Kushiyara increased by approximately 1cm. Other smaller rivers, such as the Someswari, Kongso, and Manu, have seen rises of about 1.5cm. It is noted that because these rivers are relatively small, heavy rain causes the water levels to surge quickly.
