Despite these forecasts, the Brahmaputra, Jamuna, and Ganges rivers are experiencing decreasing water levels, while the Padma River remains steady. All these rivers are expected to see further declines in water levels over the next 48 hours.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre has projected a potential improvement in flood conditions in areas like Feni and Cumilla, which have been severely impacted by recent heavy rains and mountain runoff. The centre expects the situation to improve within a day.
Sarder Udoy Raihan, executive engineer at the centre, informed mediapersons that a monsoon depression has caused significant rainfall in the border region between Bangladesh and Tripura. This has led to flash floods in Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Feni, Chattogram, and Cumilla.
“The current conditions are expected to remain unchanged for the next 24 hours, but we anticipate a reduction in flooding after that period. Many areas might see some relief within the next three days,” Raihan said.
The centre’s latest bulletin indicates rising water levels in major rivers across the northeastern, eastern, and southeastern regions of Bangladesh. As of 9 AM, Wednesday, water levels at nine points across seven rivers had exceeded danger levels. Among the 116 monitoring stations, water levels have decreased at 50 points but are rising at 62 points, with four remaining stable.
In Feni, over 200 villages are under water for the third time this year, affecting nearly 200,000 residents. The Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria has also been severely impacted, with the immigration building submerged under knee-deep water, halting passenger transit.
Heavy rain and mountain runoff have caused the rivers in the region to swell, flooding much of the Khagrachhari-Sajek road.
Forecast and Future Concerns
Meteorological forecasts predict moderate to heavy rainfall over the northeastern region and adjacent upstream areas in the next 48 hours. This may lead to further increases in water levels in the Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj districts.
The forecast also includes medium to heavy rains in southeastern and eastern areas over the next 24 hours, which could stabilize water levels in the Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Sangu, Matamuhuri, and Gumti rivers. However, rivers such as the Manu, Khowai, and Dhalai in Moulvibazar and Habiganj are expected to rise above danger levels, potentially maintaining the current flood situation in low-lying areas. Similarly, the Gumti River in Cumilla is projected to exceed danger levels, leading to short-term flooding in adjacent areas.
Despite these forecasts, the Brahmaputra, Jamuna, and Ganges rivers are experiencing decreasing water levels, while the Padma River remains steady. All these rivers are expected to see further declines in water levels over the next 48 hours.
Cumilla Faces Severe Waterlogging
In Cumilla, severe waterlogging has affected hundreds of residents in low-lying char areas, following 274 millimeters of rainfall over the past three days. On Wednesday morning alone, 56 millimeters of rain were recorded, and with further heavy rain expected, concerns are growing about widespread flooding.
The Gomti River, which originates in India’s Tripura state, has swollen significantly due to heavy rains upstream. Water levels have risen to near-danger levels, inundating riverbanks and flooding hundreds of homes. Authorities are particularly concerned about the 85-kilometer Gomti embankment, which stretches from Kotokbazar to Daudkandi in Cumilla Sadar upazila, due to the risk of collapse.
The heavy rains have also led to severe waterlogging in Cumilla city, damaging approximately 4,000 acres of vegetable crops along the riverbanks. Khan Mohammad Waliuzzaman, Executive Engineer of the Cumilla Water Development Board, stated that efforts are underway to reinforce vulnerable spots along the riverbanks.
“This is the highest volume of water we’ve seen from upstream in the Gomti in the past 15 years,” Waliuzzaman noted, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of the current situation.
