Floods in Bangladesh: How climate change is behind frequent northeastern floods
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
How climate change is behind frequent northeastern floods

Bangladesh

Eyamin Sajid
21 June, 2022, 10:50 pm
Last modified: 22 June, 2022, 10:24 am

Related News

  • Floods feared as rain-fed rivers in Sylhet cross danger mark
  • ‘Unacceptable and inadequate’: Experts slam govt for allocating only 0.67% of GDP to 25 climate-related ministries
  • Sylhet rivers keep swelling despite reduced rains
  • Budget FY26: Tk100cr allocation proposed for tackling climate change risks
  • 2 upazilas in Sylhet flooded as Kushiara embankments collapse

How climate change is behind frequent northeastern floods

The nature of floods is also changing over years, experts say 

Eyamin Sajid
21 June, 2022, 10:50 pm
Last modified: 22 June, 2022, 10:24 am
Photo: TBS
Photo: TBS

The rapidly deteriorating floods coupled with heavy downpour, which kept the northeastern region isolated from the rest of the country and hundreds of thousands of people stranded for nearly a week, are heading towards being the most devastating in recent memory.

Climate change is identified as a key reason, among others, behind the frequent floods in the Sylhet division and adjoining Indian states in recent years.

A warmer climate influenced the weather patterns and variability in the middle of the Himalayan regions and increased rainfall and precipitation that have contributed to the current floods in Sylhet, according to Anjal Prakash, coordinating lead author of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"Studies have shown that the changing Himalayan region's rainfall patterns are leading to unpredictable weather," said Prakash, who is also research director of the Indian School of Business.

"As extreme weather events have been seen across South Asia over the last decade, it can be said there is a strong connection between climate change and early monsoon and excessive flash floods," according to AKM Saiful Islam, professor of flood management at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

At least 12 northeastern and northern districts – including four of Sylhet – in Bangladesh are currently reeling from the devastating floods, with major rivers such as the Brahmaputra, Jamuna, Surma, and the Kushiyara flowing above the danger mark at 18 points. The old Surma River has already broken its historical water level record at Derai, flowing at 7.55m, surpassing the previous water level record of 7.29m, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre in Bangladesh.

On 17 June, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya received 972 mm of precipitation, just two days after recording 811.6 mm of rainfall in a day, Indian media reported, citing the India Meteorological Department. Ever since the department began keeping records, more than 800 mm of rain on a June day was recorded nine times, four of them since June 1995.

In Bangladesh, Lourergorh in Sunamganj and Lalakhal in Sylhet received more rain than the average normal for this month. Lourergorh received 1648 mm of rain against the average normal of 1495 mm, while Lalakhal received 2129 mm of rain against the longtime average of 2059 mm, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre. Other rivers are flowing very close to their historic water levels. It is feared they will set new water level records soon.

"The strong monsoon winds in the Bay of Bengal can carry a lot more moisture than ever, in response to global warming. A response to rising temperatures is the overall increase in moisture levels in the atmosphere. This is because warmer air holds more moisture, and that too for a longer time. Hence, the large amount of rainfall that we see now might be a climate change impact," according to Roxy Mathew Koll, lead author of IPCC Oceans and Cryosphere.

IPCC reports also show that the variability of rainfall is a problem as it creates skewed rainfall patterns, deviating from the known characteristics of the South Asian monsoon. It spreads out rain throughout the season, which accounts for most of the year's rain. 

"There's been a climatic shift in monsoon patterns over South Asia since the 1950s," he said and added that for every 1-degree Celsius rise in temperatures, the total amount of rainfall increases by 7%, up to 10% in the monsoonal region.

Roxy Mathew projected that extreme rainfall events will increase proportionally over South Asia in the coming years.

The changing nature of flooding 

"The nature of flooding has also changed over the years. Earlier this year, we witnessed early flooding before the monsoon. Now we are hit by another catastrophic flooding," Professor Saiful Islam said. "The situation was not like this a few decades ago." 

The professor called for preparing for unpredictable flooding in the future. 

"Excessive rainfalls are seen every 10-12 years. But, the frequency of natural disasters has been on the rise over these past few years and will continue in the future," said Ainun Nishat, professor at the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research of BRAC University.  

"We already see frequent excessive and untimely rainfalls. Previously, we witnessed cyclones and storms."  

In the coming 10-15 years, it is feared that more natural disasters will hit climate-vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh, he said. ***

Top News

Flood / climate change

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28
    Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Photos: Collected
    Tarique may propose election in first week of February in meeting with CA
  • Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury speaks to journalists in Salna, Gazipur, on 12 June 2025. Photo: TBS
    No bar to Tarique Rahman returning to Bangladesh: Home adviser

MOST VIEWED

  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • Infofgraphics: TBS
    DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • File photo of BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    Khasru flies to London ahead of Yunus-Tarique meeting
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Chatham House in London on 11 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    No desire to be part of next elected govt: CA Yunus
  • Illustration: Khandaker Abidur Rahman/TBS
    Three hospitals ‘held hostage’ as discharged July uprising injured keep occupying beds

Related News

  • Floods feared as rain-fed rivers in Sylhet cross danger mark
  • ‘Unacceptable and inadequate’: Experts slam govt for allocating only 0.67% of GDP to 25 climate-related ministries
  • Sylhet rivers keep swelling despite reduced rains
  • Budget FY26: Tk100cr allocation proposed for tackling climate change risks
  • 2 upazilas in Sylhet flooded as Kushiara embankments collapse

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

18h | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

1d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

3d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not respond to a request to meet with Dr. Muhammad Yunus

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not respond to a request to meet with Dr. Muhammad Yunus

8m | TBS World
My words have been misinterpreted: Shafiqul Alam

My words have been misinterpreted: Shafiqul Alam

43m | TBS Stories
What did the Chief Advisor do on the second day of his UK visit?

What did the Chief Advisor do on the second day of his UK visit?

1h | TBS Stories
Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

14h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net