Water levels in 7 rivers above danger level, flooding persists in Netrokona, Habiganj

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Water Development Board (WDB) has said water levels in seven rivers in northeastern Bangladesh are above their danger marks due to several days of heavy rain and hill runoff.

As a result, low-lying areas near haor wetlands in Netrokona and Habiganj districts remain flooded, while low-lying areas near haors in Sylhet and Sunamganj may also face flooding, said FFWC Executive Engineer Manjur Rahman.

“The water levels of seven rivers in the northeastern region are above the danger level at eight points. As a result, flooding continues in Netrokona and Habiganj,” he told bdnews24.com on Monday afternoon.

“Moderate to moderately heavy rainfall is forecast for the next three days, with moderately heavy to heavy rain also likely. As a result, fresh flooding may occur in low-lying areas near the haors of Sylhet and Sunamganj districts.”

However, the forecast indicates that the situation may improve from Thursday night, he said.

The FFWC’s regular bulletin said water levels in seven rivers in the northeastern region were above the pre-monsoon danger level at 9am on Monday.

The Naljur River in Sunamganj District was flowing above the danger level at Jagannathpur point; the Baulai River in Netrokona District at Khaliajuri point; the Bhugai-Kangsha River at Jariajanjail point; the Someshwari River at Kalmakanda point; the Magra River at Netrokona and Atpara points; the Kalni-Kushiyara River at Ajmeriganj point; and the Sutang River at Sutang Railway Bridge point in Habiganj.

The FFWC said that among the main rivers in the northeastern haor basin, water levels in the Surma-Kushiyara and Dhanu-Baulai rivers have risen, while the level of the Bhugai-Kangsha has fallen.

Citing the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and global meteorological agencies, the FFWC said moderate to heavy rainfall had occurred upstream in India’s Agartala and Tripura, as well as inside the northeastern haor basins, in the last 24 hours.

Moderate to moderately heavy rain is forecast in the region until Tuesday, while moderately heavy to heavy rain is forecast on Wednesday and Thursday.

The BMD defines 12-22mm of rainfall in 24 hours as moderate, 23-43mm as moderately heavy, and 44-88mm as heavy.

The FFWC said rainfall may cause water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts to rise over the next three days.

On the second day, water levels in parts of the Kushiyara may cross the danger level, potentially flooding low-lying areas.

Water levels in the Bhugai-Kangsha and Someshwari rivers in Netrokona District may remain stable for the next three days. Flooding may continue in low-lying areas near the haors of the Bhugai-Kangsha basin in Netrokona.

Water levels in the Dhanu-Baulai rivers in Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts may also remain stable for the next three days, with flooding likely to persist in low-lying areas near the haors of those basins.

Water levels in the Manu, Khowai and Juri rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts may remain stable for the next two days before rising on the third day.

The water level of the Juri River may rise rapidly in the next 72 hours and cross the warning level.

The Sutang River may rise over the next day before falling over the following two days. As the river is already flowing above the pre-monsoon danger level, flooding in Habiganj may continue.