Flash floods are likely to hit the north-eastern region of the country this week if rains coupled with onrush of water from hills continue, according to Flood Forecasting and Warning Center of Water Development Board.
Flash floods induced by heavy rain and onrush of water from upstream may hit Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona districts.
Persistent rainfall in different parts of the country has triggered risk of flashfloods as major rivers in several divisions may swell, FFWC warned.
According to a bulletin released by the FFWC, low-lying areas in Feni, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona are at risk of flooding.
Water levels in rivers such as the Gomti, Muhuri, and Feni in the Chattogram division may rise while the water level of the Muhuri River may exceed the danger level.
There is a risk of flooding in low-lying areas adjacent to the Muhuri River in Feni district during this period. Water levels in the Sari-Goyain, Jadukata, Manu, Dhalai,
Khowai, and Someshwari rivers in the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions may rise over the next one day and may exceed the danger level during this time. There is a risk of flooding in low-lying areas adjacent to these rivers in the districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona.
Besides, the water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers in the Rangpur division may rise over the next 3 days; and the Teesta River may flow near the warning level. Tidal levels in the coastal rivers of Barishal, Khulna, and Chattogram divisions may be observed higher than normal over the next day.
Water levels in the Surma-Kushiyara rivers are currently decreasing, but may begin to rise over the next two days; however, they are expected to flow below the danger level.
Water levels in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna river system are decreasing and currently flowing below the danger level. These water levels may remain stable for the next day and then rise over the following 4 days; however, they are likely to remain below the danger level. On the other hand, the deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal is weakening gradually after moving onto land, according to an update of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday morning.
Earlier on Thursday night, the deep depression crossed the West Bengal-Bangladesh coastline and stayed over Satkhira and adjoining area as a land depression.
Under the influence of the depression, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in many parts of Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions on Friday.
According to the BMD, heavy rainfall refers to rainfall of 44 to 88 millimetres, while very heavy rainfall occurs above 88 millimetres.
Shahnaz Sultana, meteorologist at the BMD, said that the deep depression is still in the form of a land deep depression and gradually moving from north to northeast.
As a result, rains will occur in various parts of the country today. Since Friady morning, the sky over the capital has been cloudy and amid light rain.
The meteorologist forecast that heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in many districts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Dhaka divisions today due to the active monsoon winds following a deep depression.
On Tuesday, a low pressure system was created over the Bay of Bengal and the next day it turned into a distinct low pressure.
On Thursday, it first became a depression and then transformed into a deep depression, resulting in rains in the capital and extensive areas of the country.
Several thousands of people in Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Bhola, Chandpur and other coastal districts have been inundated due to the tidal surge after some dams reportedly collapsed.
Passenger launch services on Daulatdia-Paturia and Aricha-Kazirhat remain suspended for the second consecutive day on Friday due to adverse weather.
The authorities halted all launch movements from 9am on Thursday to avoid accidents caused by the turbulent Padma and Jamuna rivers.
However, ferry services on both routes worked as usual.
Md. Shimul Islam, traffic supervisor at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority- BIWTA's Aricha regional office, said launch services on Daulatdia-Paturia route will remain suspended until weather conditions improve.
He informed that all launches have been anchored safely at the Daulatdia ghat pontoon.
Moreover, the launch service on the Aricha-Kazirhat route were also suspended from 9am on Thursday and if the weather improves the service will resume later, the supervisor said.
Meanwhile, ferry operations on Daulatdia-Paturia route remained halted from 3:30 pm to 7:30pm on Thursday due to high risk but the service on Aricha-Kazirhat remained normal.
Since 7:30pm on Thursday, the ferry services on the both routes remained as usual, he informed.
Md. Salahuddin, assistant general manager of BIWTC’s Daulatdia office, said that ferry services are currently running with seven large and three small ferries in operation.
Rajbari-bound commuter train held over by protesters at Faridpur station
The number of passengers has increased compared to normal time due to suspension of the launch service, he said.
If needed, more ferries will be added to the fleet, Salahuddin added.
