Incessant rains hit Bangladesh, spark fears of flooding

Heavy and persistent monsoon rains have disrupted life in various parts of Bangladesh inundating low-lying areas, triggering waterlogging and raising concerns of potential flashfloods, particularly in the country's southeastern districts.

In Dhaka, light rain since morning led to waterlogging and muddy roads in various areas, adding to commuters' woes.

Twenty-four millimeters of rain were recorded in Dhaka in 24 hours till 6pm today (8 July).

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Feni recorded this season's highest 440 millimetres of rainfall in 24 hours till 6pm today.

Cox's Bazar (Teknaf), Khulna (Mongla), Patuakhali, Bhola and Lakshmipur also experienced heavy downpour during the period.

The downpour inundated many areas of Feni town, forcing school closures, disrupting traffic and affecting power supply in municipality areas.

Major roads such as Shahid Shahidullah Kaiser Road, Rampur Shaheen Academy area, Pathan Bari, Nazir Road and Petrobangla went under knee- to waist-deep water, halting vehicular movement.

Many vehicles stalled after water entered their engines, leaving commuters stranded since morning.

Residents said the situation was reminiscent of last year's devastating flood.

"Too much rains! Exactly like what happened during the 2024 flood. May Allah stand by us," wrote Mymuna Tania, a housewife from Chanmia Munshi Bari area, in a Facebook post, sharing a video of a road completely submerged.

In Fulgazi upazila, parts of a dam along the Muhuri River collapsed due to the continuous downpour, damaging shops in nearby areas. Vehicular movement along the Nilaksmhi-Gabtala Road remained halted.

Md Abul Kashem, sub-divisional engineer of the Water Development Board in Feni, said while the Muhuri River is still flowing below danger level, upstream water and more rainfall may aggravate the situation. "We are on high alert to prevent further riverbank erosion," he said.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said the water level of the Muhuri River may reach the danger level within the next 24 hours, raising the risk of flashfloods in nearby low-lying areas.

The water levels of the Feni, Muhuri, Halda, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers are rising and expected to remain high over the next day before stabilising.

Meanwhile, power supply in some parts of Feni town remained disrupted since morning, adding to the woes of the residents.

Exams were held in some schools despite the waterlogging, with students wading through floodwaters or taking rickshaws to reach exam centres.

Md Mojibur Rahman, acting meteorological officer in Feni, said the current rainfall pattern may continue for another two to three days.

Elsewhere, continuous downpour has also hit Patuakhali, with the district recording 215.1mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period till 9am today.

The rain has caused waterlogging in several parts of Patuakhali municipality, including Sabuj Bagh, Natun Bazar and Titash Mor.

Numerous fish enclosures and ponds in the rural areas have also been submerged.

The Bay of Bengal near Kuakata turned rough due to the active monsoon, with moderate to large waves crashing onto the shore.

Squally weather is expected to continue along the coast.

Maritime ports, including Payra in Patuakhali, have been advised to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No. 3, while fishermen have been instructed to remain in safe shelter.

Due to possible gusty winds at 40-60 km/h, river ports in Patuakhali, Barishal, Khulna, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar were also asked to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No. 1 until 1:00pm today.

According to the latest Met office bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely at most places over Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at many places over Rangpur division.

Moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions, it said.

A low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining regions, combined with active southwest monsoon conditions, is driving the current rainfall pattern, it said.

One of the monsoon troughs extends into the North Bay, making the sea rough and increasing the likelihood of more rain in the coming days.