8 districts flooded, rising rivers threaten more areas
Eight districts in Bangladesh – Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Khagrachari, and Chattogram – are currently inundated due to heavy rainfall and upstream flooding.
Torrential rains have worsened the situation, causing rivers such as the Kushiyara, Manu, Dhalai, Khowai, Muhuri, Feni, and Halda to flow over the danger levels.
Weather experts warn of a further worsening flood situation, potentially affecting more districts and rivers.
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In Habiganj, water levels have reached historic highs, breaking 50-year records, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC).
Habiganj's Khowai River is flowing at 11 metres, well above its danger level of 9.05 metres. The Muhuri River in Chattogram has also broken a 40-year record on the Indian side.
FFWC Executive Engineer Sarder Udoy Raihan said that water levels in some rivers are expected to remain above danger levels for the next 24 hours, with improvement likely after three days.
He attributed the excessive rainfall to a monsoon depression, which has caused sudden flooding.
"Additionally, the opening of dams in India during this peak season has worsened the situation," he said.
Several Indian media outlets also reported that the opening of Dumbur hydroelectric project dams has led to flooding in Bangladesh.
Situation may worsen further
The FFWC predicts that the Gomti River in Cumilla may similarly rise above danger levels, potentially causing short-term flooding in low-lying areas.
Meteorological organisations have forecasted medium to heavy rainfall in southeastern and eastern Bangladesh, as well as in adjacent upstream areas.
This could cause water levels in rivers such as the Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu, Matamuhuri, and Gomti to rise.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) Meteorologist Md Bazlur Rashid said heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in parts of Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, with a decrease expected by Friday.
He noted that water levels in rivers are rising significantly due to heavier rainfall in Tripura, India.
Rashid attributed the heavy rainfall to a well-marked low-pressure system over southern Bangladesh. This system has caused heavy rainfall on its right side, affecting Sylhet and Chattogram, an unusual phenomenon intensified by the monsoon.
BMD has advised maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist lower cautionary signals due to adverse weather.
Heavy rainfall recorded
The BMD reported that Feni recorded the highest rainfall in the country at 312 mm today. Among other districts Moulvibazar 238 mm, Cumilla 210 mm, Jafflong in Sylhet 199 mm, Mymensingh 152 mm, Noakhali 144 mm, Cumilla 81 mm, Ramgati 71 mm, and Dhaka 33 mm.
The BMD forecast indicates that light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, are likely to occur in most parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with some areas experiencing moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall.
During a press briefing on the flood situation, Additional Secretary KM Ali Reza informed that relief distribution is ongoing in the affected districts.
District administrations, in coordination with the anti-discrimination student movement, the army, and other volunteers, are actively working to assist flood-hit areas, following instructions issued by the ministry.
Severe waterlogging maroons 20 lakh in Noakhali
Continuous heavy rainfall since mid-July has caused severe waterlogging in the Greater Noakhali region, marooning around 20 lakh people. The flooding has submerged houses, roads, and marketplaces, with water levels reaching waist-deep in some areas.
Locals allege that this waterlogging is largely due to the encroachment of canals and wetlands. The rising fears of more extensive flooding have led residents to call for military assistance to recover the canals and drain the water.
The flooding has devastated farmlands, particularly Aman paddy seedbeds and vegetable fields, preventing farmers from planting crops.
The prolonged waterlogging has severely affected livelihoods, with residents demanding immediate action.
Ismail, a boatman from Anderchar village in Sadar upazila, said, "All the roads are underwater, and the water inside people's homes is knee-deep. My family is also trapped by the water at home. I do not know how we will survive."
Over 100 villages submerged in Feni
Severe flooding has affected three upazilas in Feni—Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chhagalnaiya—leaving over 100 villages submerged and more than one lakh people stranded.
These upazilas, located near the Indian border, are experiencing rising water levels in the Muhuri, Kahua, and Silonia rivers, which have surpassed danger marks, according to Google's flood alert system.
In Fulgazi upazila alone, more than 40 villages are flooded. Similarly, over 45 villages in Parshuram and several in Chhagalnaiya are underwater.
The floods have submerged roads, ponds, and cropland, with water reaching the roofs and tin sheds of houses in some areas. Residents have been forced to seek refuge elsewhere.
Local authorities and volunteer organisations are distributing relief aid to affected communities.
Meanwhile, Army and Navy has been deployed in Feni for rescue operations in Parshuram and Fulgazi upazilas.
According to the Feni District Commissioner, 1,600 people have taken shelter in 78 designated centres.
The rescue efforts involve speed boats and helicopters, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate.
250 tourists stranded in Sajek
In Sajek Valley, around 250 tourists have been stranded due to continuous rainfall over the past six days, which, along with landslides, has flooded several roads.
Vehicular movement on the Khagrachari-Sajek Road has been halted, with areas such as Kabakhali in Dighinala and Baghaihat and Machalong in Rangamati submerged.
While water levels have fallen in some areas, others have seen a rise. Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shirin Akhter confirmed that traffic movement was suspended as parts of the roads were underwater.
Three key causes of floods
Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Palash, a PhD researcher in meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan, identified three primary factors contributing to the ongoing floods in Bangladesh.
First, a persistent monsoon low-pressure system over Bangladesh has caused continuous rainfall. As of Wednesday afternoon, this system was stationary over the Chattogram region and was expected to bring rain across much of the country until Thursday night.
Second, a strong Madden-Julian Oscillation, a significant component of tropical atmospheric variability, is currently active over the Bay of Bengal, causing warm, moist air to move towards the coast.
Third, the jet stream's current position over Central Asia is causing increased rainfall in both India and Bangladesh. Palash explained that when these three factors align, as they did in June 2017, the region experiences significant rainfall, leading to landslides and floods.
In 2017, this combination resulted in severe flooding in Chattogram, where landslides claimed hundreds of lives.
For the current situation, Palash warned of the possibility of 100-300 millimetres of rainfall in various districts by Thursday midnight, with a gradual decrease expected from Friday onwards.
