The persistent monsoon rains in the Indian states of Meghalaya and Assam have once again led to severe flooding in the water basin of Sylhet. The lack of alternative drainage routes for water from these states has resulted in the submersion of large parts of Sylhet, a recurring issue every monsoon season.
This year, the first surge of upstream water inundated Sylhet on May 27th. A new surge began on June 17th, causing a second wave of devastation. Currently, half of the Sylhet district remains underwater, affecting approximately 1.2 million people.
There is no immediate relief in sight, as the Meteorological Department forecasts further rainfall in the region over the coming days, which will likely exacerbate the situation.
Meteorologists point to the upstream surge as the primary cause of Sylhet's floods. Environmentalists have highlighted that the rivers flowing through Sylhet originate in mountainous areas, where dams and barriers at the river mouths are opened during the rainy season, leading to a powerful influx of water into Sylhet. This scenario has unfolded once again this year.
However, the Flood Forecast and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) has offered a glimmer of hope, predicting an improvement in the flood situation in the low-lying areas of Netrokona, Sylhet, and Sunamganj districts over the next 24 hours.
Besides, the flood situation in some parts of Rangpur may deteriorate, according to Executive Engineer Sardar Uday Raihan of the WDB.
"The water level may rise in the Dudhkumar, Teesta, and Dharala rivers in the northern part of Bangladesh over the next 72 hours. Short-term floods may hit the low-lying areas in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari. Additionally, the flood situation may worsen in the low-lying areas of Rangpur," stated Raihan.
The Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are also rising continuously and are likely to reach the danger level within 72 hours, as per the WDB's flood forecast. Furthermore, the water levels in the Ganges and Padma rivers may continue to rise over the next 72 hours.
Regional Rainfall and Weather Patterns
Meanwhile, the main rivers in the northeastern part of the country are seeing their water levels drop, a trend that may continue for the next 48 hours. The Teesta, Surma, Kushiyara, and Old Surma rivers are currently flowing above their danger levels at certain points.
Moderate rain with gusty winds or thunderstorms is expected in parts of the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions over the next 72 hours, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Meteorologist Bazlur Rashid noted that the extended section of western low pressure has spread from West Bengal in India to the northwestern Bay of Bengal, making the monsoon active over Bangladesh.
The highest rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours was 163 mm in Khulna's Meherpur. Other notable rainfall amounts include 87 millimetres in Cox’s Bazar, 85 millimetres in Bagerhat's Mongla, and 76 millimetres in Madaripur.
The highest temperature recorded in Bangladesh was 35.4 degrees Celsius in Jashore in the past 24 hours, while the minimum was 22.8 degrees Celsius in Joypurhat.
The BMD’s five-day forecast showed the likelihood of more rain towards the end of the period.
