Heavy rains may trigger short-term flood in Sylhet, Sunamganj

Northeastern and adjoining upstream region of the country may experience short-term flood due to heavy rainfall in 48 hours since Sunday morning, said a bulletin of Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board.
 
Some rivers of this region including Surma, Old Surma, Sarigowain, Khowai, Jadukata, Someshwari, Bhogai-Kangsha may rise rapidly and cause short-term flood in the adjoining low-lying areas as there is a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region during the period, it said.

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Padma rivers are in a steady state, while the Ganges River is in rising trend, which may continue in next 48 hours, reports UNB.

All the major rivers in the Northeastern region of the country are in rising trend.

Due to the chance of heavy rainfall in the adjoining upstream, the Teesta, the Dharala and the Dudhkumar rivers in the Northern region may rise rapidly in the next 48 hours.

The Teesta may cross danger level at Dalia point in the next 24 hours, said FFWC.

Last year, the residents of Sylhet district experienced a devastating flood as 70% of the district went under floodwater while 10,000 dwelling houses were damaged, causing immense sufferings to thousands of people.

This time, low-lying areas in Sunamganj district, including the town, have been inundated due to incessant rains for the last four days till Sunday morning and onrush of upstream water.

The Water Development Board recorded the country's highest 322mm of rainfall in 24 hours till Sunday morning, said its executive engineer Mamun Hawladar.

A vast tract of low-lying areas including Shahebbari Ghat, Kazir Point, Nabinagar, Hasannagar and Natunpara in the district town were submerged.

Besides, the Surma was flowing 6cm above its danger level while the water levels of Jadukata, Khasiamara, Chela, Monai, Someshwari are also in rising trend.

Roads in different areas were damaged due to flood while communication on Madhyanagar-Mahishkhola remained snapped.

"If the rainfall continues in the district it will damage more roads," said Jamalganj Upazila Chairman Iqbal Al Azad.

Salma Parveen, sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), said the flood water entered many houses due to waterlogging.

Deputy Commissioner Didar Alam Maksud Chwodhury urged the people of the flood-hit areas to take shelter in the educational institutions if flood water entered their houses.

According to the forecast of the Meteorological Department on Sunday evening, the trend of rainfall may increase in the next 72 hours.

BMD officials told The Business Standard that the people of Netrokona have seen the country's highest rainfall of 189mm in 24 hours till 6pm on Sunday. During this period, the amount of rainfall in Mymensingh and Sylhet was 164 and 152mm respectively.

Dhaka recorded 11mm of rainfall in that 24 hours. Compared to the central and northern regions, the southern regions did not receive rain.

Monwar Hossain, a meteorologist of BMD, told TBS that 130mm rainfall recorded in Sylhet division from noon to 6pm on Sunday.

This rainfall recorded in such a short time is the highest in the last few days. The amount of rainfall in Sylhet area is not likely to reduce in the next one week. Only on the 4th of July, there may be some light rain.

According to the 24-hour forecast, light to moderate rain with gusty winds or thundershowers may occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and many places in Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions.